The first test had a delayed start to help the players overcome the unfortunate demise of Phillip Hughes. Till third day it appeared to be a Buddhist series, but as they moved towards the business end of the test on 4th day tempers rose. In all probability, Clarke will declare at overnight score trusting his bowlers, and India will have to chase 364 runs. Considering that the 6 Indian batsmen boast of only 5500 odd runs between them in a collective experience of 146 innings of 85 test matches, will Kohli’s men take the bait or play safe like Dhoni’s men have done on many occasions to go for a draw!!
2014-2015 Indian Tour of Australia: Schedule
On the fourth day as both teams sniffed chance of victory, the players were back to self sledging each other. Two major incidents has already happened and there can be more bouncers and sledging expected on the final day. Indian chance of win primarily lies on Murali Vijay, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane. But, they will be wary of the tricky Adelaide pitch on the fifth day.
The 6 Indian batsmen boast of only 5500 odd runs between them in a collective experience of 146 innings of 85 test matches. They have scored 23 centuries and 27 half centuries so far, with Pujara being the only batsman among the current squad to have scored a double century.
Past Test Record of Current Indian Batsmen
P=Matches Played, W=Won, L=Lost, D=Draw, GD=Goal Difference
Pool A
| Batsman | T/I | Runs | 100s | 50s |
| Murali Vijay | 28/48 | 1759 | 4 | 7 |
| Dhawan | 11/18 | 691 | 2 | 1 |
| Pujara | 25/43 | 1945 | 6 | 5 |
| Kohli | 30/52 | 1970 | 7 | 9 |
| Rahane | 11/20 | 740 | 2 | 4 |
| Rohit | 8/13 | 532 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | 85/146 | 5878 | 23 | 27 |
In 2nd Innings (3rd or 4th innings of the match)
In the 3rd and 4th innings of a test match at AWAY or Home venues, none of them have been much impressive
Murali Vijay
3 centuries scored at home followed by 146 at Nottingham.
- Away: 27, 9, 0, 3, 45, 26, 11
Home: 41, 32, 37, 6, 39, 6, 13, 7, 52, 95, 12, 18, 2
Shikhar Dhawan
One century at Mohali, one at AUckland besides score of 98 at Wellington.
- Away: 15, 19, 115 (4th innings vs New Zealand), 29, 31, 37
Home:
Pujara
- Away: 48, 41*, 6, 8, 8*, 1, 28, 82*,
Home: 72, 10, 153, 32, 23, 17, 55, 2, 17, 11
Kohli
- Away: 15, 27, 0, 9, 75, 22, 96, 11, 67, 105*, 8, 0, 28, 7,
Home: 63, 51*, 14*, 7, 20, 34, 41,
Rahane
His two centuries were scored in Away games in the first innings of the team.
- Away: 15, 96, 18, 24, 5, 52*, 1, 4
Home: 1
Rohit Sharma
2 centuries at Home, 72 is his highest score away at Auckland.
- Away: 6, 19, 31*, 6
Home: None
Unless the shadow of Dhoni looms on the test match, Kohli and his men may want to take calculated risks to try and chase. They know how difficult it will be to save their wicket for 3 full sessions and face menacing Johnson, impressive Lyon and always ready to attack Siddle. But, if they chase that will be a memorable day for India. Can Adelaide be the turning point in India’s approach towards tests!! Kohli will give the answer on 5th day.
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