Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna believes that the unpredictable nature of the SCG pitch will help them in their pursuit to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. With Australia struggling to score runs on the challenging track, India's current lead of 145 runs could be a crucial factor. Krishna, who had a successful first innings with the prized wicket of Steve Smith, credits his performance to his early arrival in Australia and guidance from bowling coach Morne Morkel.
India's Edge in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy: SCG Pitch and Krishna's Success
In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch has emerged as a pivotal factor. The unpredictable nature of the surface, with its variable bounce and uneven pace, has favored the Indian pacers.
One such pacesetter is Prasidh Krishna, who made his Test debut in the first match at the Adelaide Oval. Crediting his early arrival in Australia and guidance from bowling coach Morne Morkel, Krishna played a crucial role in India's strong performance in the first innings of the third Test at the SCG. He claimed the prized wicket of Australia's star batsman Steve Smith, demonstrating his ability to exploit the challenging conditions.
India holds a crucial lead of 145 runs, thanks in part to their bowling dominance on the SCG pitch. Australia, on the other hand, has struggled to score runs consistently, with the Indian pacers finding success with their variations and ability to extract movement off the surface.
Top 5 FAQs on the India vs. Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy
1. When is the next match? The fourth Test of the series will begin on Friday, January 15th, at the Gabba in Brisbane.
2. How many runs does India need to win? India will need to score 333 runs to win the third Test and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
3. Who is leading the wickets tally? Indian pacer R Ashwin is currently the leading wicket-taker in the series with 21 wickets, followed by Australia's Josh Hazlewood with 18 wickets.
4. Has India ever won a Test series in Australia? Yes, India has won two Test series in Australia, in 2003-04 and 2018-19.
5. Who has scored the most runs in the series? Marnus Labuschagne is the leading run-scorer in the series, with 319 runs in five innings.
As the series progresses, the SCG pitch will continue to play a key role. India will look to capitalize on their advantage with their pacers, while Australia will need to find ways to adapt to the challenging conditions and put up a competitive score. The outcome of the third Test and the series itself could hinge on the team that best adjusts to the unpredictable nature of the iconic Sydney pitch.
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