shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Can India stem the rot at Wankhede

Can India stem the rot at Wankhede?

Updated on: 01 November,2024 08:05 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Clayton Murzello | clayton@mid-day.com

Plagued by diminishing returns in recent years, today’s Wankhede Test is the top order’s last chance to find form before the mother of all series in Oz later this month

Can India stem the rot at Wankhede?

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant

Listen to this article
Can India stem the rot at Wankhede?
x
00:00

Forty-five years ago, in the first week of November 1979, India under Sunil Gavaskar were primed to win the country’s first-ever series against Australia since 1947-48. The venue of the historic series win was the same Wankhede Stadium, where India face New Zealand today, in an effort to duck the ignominy of enduring the country’s first-ever home whitewash across three Tests.


In the first innings of that 1979 Test, India amassed 458-8 declared. Gavaskar scored a hundred. So did Syed Kirmani as a nightwatchman while opener Chetan Chauhan got 73 and Karsan Ghavri smashed a 99-ball 86. That was enough for Kapil Dev & Co to dismiss Australia twice and win by an innings and 100 runs.


Can Rohit & Co dish out a similar result? Going by ability, yes. Going by form, probably not. But then, tigers are most dangerous when cornered.  None of the senior batters have got to three figures with due respect to Pant’s 99 in Bangalore.


Also Read: NZ skipper Latham expects ‘great battle’ in final Test

Not only are the senior batters short of runs, they also need to improve their averages of the last three years (as highlighted in the adjoining graphic) to a point of them matching their overall impressive averages.

Go big in Mumbai’ could probably be the war cry ahead of the battle of Oz. Over to Wankhede.

Graphic/Yogesh JainGraphic/Yogesh Jain

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK