5 Reasons India Can Make Gabba A BriskBane For The Aussies

IND V AUS | BORDER - GAVASKAR TROPHY |
4TH TEST, GABBA BRISBANE PREVIEW

Injury-hit #TeamIndia began their preparations for the fourth Test at Gabba with doubts over the availability of several players. #AUSvIND https://t.co/1R1QhcLun2

— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) January 13, 2021

An injured Team India are in Brisbane for the Final Frontier with little to lose.

Little to lose because they have the trophy -- in their hold for the past six years -- to defend. Even if they lose at the Gabba, they'll be returning home with their head held high.

They have won back the hearts of their fans after their heroic efforts in Melbourne and Sydney. They are in Brisbane with several injuries, including the stomach strain to lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

It's the Aussies who are hurting from their bruised ego having failed to go up in the 4-Test series. They'll galvanize every strategy and firepower to ensure they have the Indians on the mat (read losing major sessions of play).

The record favours the hosts. They have not lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988 and will be taking the field on Friday 24-0 at this venue against visiting teams.

India have lost five matches and drawn one here. It's tough to expect a depleted India, without star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, to get that elusive win.

"His all-round performance is going to be a huge loss for India, for sure. They'll find it hard to replace him at that No.7 position," Wide World Of Sports quoted former Australia captain Mark Taylor saying about Jadeja.

You know Team India cannot ask for immediate replacement from India due to the Covid-19 quarantine regulation. 

However, the large India entourage that left for Australia still has a decent 11 that is capable of either winning or playing out a draw starting Friday.

They can afford to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah and Hanuma Vihari if the team thinktank shows courage and faith in those who have been warming the benches so far on this tour.

Here's a fit playing 11 that coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Ajinkya Rahane may pick and play with:

Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (w-k), Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav.

They also have allrounder (bowler who can bat) Washington Sundar as an option although the Gabba pitch prepared by the curator is likely to be replete with pace and bounce.

Here are 5 reasons that can help India win:

1. Retaining self-belief and the CIA qualities

They could have quickly and easily embraced dejection after their shock 36 in the second innings at Adelaide and subsequent 8-wicket loss.

However, a revamped India guided by stand-in captain Rahane surprised their own fans and the Aussies by winning the Melbourne Test. If this wasn't enough, they fought until the last ball in Sydney to ensure the series remains alive at 1-all.

These two Tests brought out the self-belief as well as the CIA (Character, Intent, Attitude) qualities out on display from Rahane and his bruised men.

Starting Friday, these qualities alone can ensure India win sessions and dominate the final Test.

2. No Bad Balls, Run Out, Reckless Batting

Whether they win or lose the toss, Rahane and his men can make this a memorable tour if each member of the playing 11 show professional discipline that an ICC top three Test team is required to.

The Aussies may recover from lapses in catching or batting because they have a world renowned potent bowling quartet ready to decimate the opposition with several strategies.

The only way Team India can counter this salvo is when their bowlers attempt not to bowl any bad balls throughout the match, their fielders are agile not to drop crucial catches and their batsmen don't throw away their wicket due to sluggish running between the wickets or impulsive strokes.

3. Capitalize On A Demoralised Host

The Aussies are gripped by several not-so-happy aspects, such as, captain Tim Paine's poor performance at the SCG, his spat with Ashwin and apology later, their pace bowlers unhappy with crucial catches dropped off their bowling and an uncertain opening batting pair.

They rather will be forced to display a positive outlook. However, Team India will do well to identify the Aussie pain points and use them to their advantage. They wouldn't even have to use any banter or verbal tactics the opposition has been resorting to, to get an upperhand.

"I really hope Pucovski pulls through because he’s such a talented player. When you think about what he can offer, it’s brilliant," FoxSports quoted former Aussie pacer Brett Lee saying.

4. Back Players With India A Experience

You must have heard long time commentator / anchor Harsha Bhogle and few former players-turned-commentators discussing how playing extensively for India A have shaped Mohammed Siraj and other players into ready-to-go at the Test level.

Shastri and Rahane would need to back all such players available in the camp and prep them into playing like champions.

5. Enjoy The Game To Liven Up Dull Moments 

Rahane's natural look could be perennially grumpy. However, he has begun to smile after the way his teammates have responded and rallied behind his leadership.

The India players are often seen in a very tense mood, especially when the flow of play is not going their way.

Rahane needs to cheer up his men and encourage healthy banter among themselves so that every member is on an even keel. Such team spirit creates a positive vibe for all 11, but it also upsets the opposition.

Should Team India fulfill on the above five options they have, the Gabba may prove to be a bane for the Aussies, quite briskly!