Indian are very good at creating these sideshows: Tim Paine

Onecricket

Racially abused, physically hurt by a multitude of injuries and without the services of several senior players, the Indian team defeated Australia 2-1 in a four-match Test series Down Under. However, in a recent interview with a leading Australian publication, captain Tim Paine has put the onus of their defeat on the 'distractions' caused by the touring side. 

"Part of the challenge of playing against India is they're very good at niggling you and trying to distract you with stuff that doesn't really matter and there were times in that series where we fell for that," Paine was quoted as saying by news.com.au.

The Australian Test captain further said that the Indian team is very good at creating the sideshows. "The classic example was when they said they weren't going to the Gabba so we didn't know where we were going. They're very good at creating these sideshows and we took our eye off the ball," he added.

The visitors were thumped in the first Test after getting bundled out for their lowest total of 36 but made a fine comeback to win two out of the three remaining fixtures to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India were handed an uphill task in the final and deciding Test against the home side after they were set a target of 329 runs and an early wicket of opener Rohit Sharma created more pressure on the visitors. 

But riding on a responsible knock of 91 runs from Shubman Gill and some brilliant batting from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant, India went over the line by 3 wickets to win the match. 

While Pujara scored 56 during the course of the innings, Pant remained unbeaten for 89 to see India home. 


 

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