What Cost India the Indore Test? Sunil Gavaskar Answers
India lost the Indore Test comprehensively [AP Photos]
Former India opener, Sunil Gavaskar reckons that the no-ball bowled by Ravindra Jadeja in the first innings was the turning point of the game.
Jadeja's good length ball outside the off was chopped on by Marnus Labuchagne, but Jadeja overstepped and it was called a no-ball. Labuschagne went onto score 31 crucial runs and stitched an important partnership with Usman Khawaja that helped Australia bail out of a tricky situation.
Gavaskar feels the reprieve got by Labuschagne turned the match on its head.
"If you look back on the Test match, you would say that is probably what cost India the match. (Marnus) Labuschagne was out for a duck, and they (later) stitched the partnership of 96 while India were dismissed for 109. I think that was probably the turning point. I think that no-ball cost India the match," Gavaskar said after the match.
The plan to prepare a turning track back-fired on Team India, as Australia did their home-work correctly and defeated them by 9-wickets in the Indore Test on Friday.
Australia had their plans ready and they executed it to perfection, with Nathan Lyon leading from the front to destroy the Indian batting attack. The 35-year-old He was amply supported by Matthew Kuhnemann, who picked up his maiden fifer in the first innings to rattle the Indian lineup.
With this emphatic win, Australia have secured their place in the finals of the World Test Championship. On the other hand, India need to win the Ahmedabad Test to book their berth in the finals.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
