As the Indian cricket team gears up for the all-important third Test at The Gabba, legendary Australian batter Matthew Hayden has shared crucial advice for the touring pace battery, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana.
India suffered a crushing defeat of 10 wickets in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval after winning the first Test by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium in Perth, as Australia leveled the ongoing five-match Test series 1-1 in style in Adelaide, where Indian batters and bowlers faltered badly.
Matthew Hayden shares tactical blueprint for Jasprit Bumrah and Indian pacers for the Gabba Test
After a lackluster performance in the Day-Night Test match against Australia in Adelaide, Matthew Hayden has urged the Indian pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah to give a second thought to their approach for the bouncy pitch that will be on offer at The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test encounter.
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Hayden highlighted the importance of accuracy, advising the Indian team that a consistent fourth-fifth stump line could be the key for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana to trouble the Australian batters in Brisbane.
Additionally, the cricket pundit has also pointed out that the Gabba’s unique bounce is a weapon the Indian bowlers must exploit to full effect to help the team bounce back from their crushing Adelaide Test loss to Australia and take a lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
They need to rely on hovering in the fourth and fifth stump lines: Hayden
Also, Matthew Hayden believes that the return of the traditional red ball will work in India’s favor against the Australian team in the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at The Gabba. However, Hayden reminded India of Australia’s stellar record with the pink ball, saying they don’t need to dwell much on their poor show in the Day-Night Test.
Hayden has further suggested that, as the Indian pacers dominated the lively Perth track in the ongoing five-match Test series opener, they will have the same opportunity to thrive on pace and bounce in Brisbane to regain momentum and tilt the BGT 2024-25 in their favor against the hosts.
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Matthew Hayden was quoted as saying by Star Sports: “India, when they do get a chance to bowl, they need to rely on hovering in that fourth, fifth stump line a bit more. And most importantly, they need to use their bounce. It’s a key arsenal as part of a fast-bowling unit in Brisbane. The red ball will definitely be more familiar in terms of Test match cricket. Australia have the running with the pink ball, they won so much with it.”
India must bat better to win Test matches in Australia: Matthew Hayden
India’s batting lineup failed to surpass 200 runs in three of their last four innings in the ongoing Test series in Australia, and Hayden emphasized the importance of spending more time at the crease to post a 350+ total on the board to challenge the hosts in the remainder of the BGT 2024-25.
Matthew Hayden signed off by saying, “India must bat better, they must bat for time. They must bat a day of Test match cricket. Under a day, unacceptable. Has to be in that 350 zone. India should bat first even if there are challenging conditions.”
