Why Did India Lose the First Test to Australia in 2020?

After a string of wins, the Indian cricket team lost the first Test match against Australia after their dominant performance in the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar trophy series. This unexpected loss raised eyebrows and many questions. In this article, I will delve into the reasons behind India's defeat, shedding light on both internal and external factors.

Introduction

For some years, India has had a tendency to start their first match of a series poorly. This phenomenon, known as the 'First Test Syndrome,' has played a significant role in India's recent losses. This isn't limited to just India; indeed, other teams like Bangladesh face similar challenges, becoming extra motivated against India but with less favorable results. Let's explore the specific reasons for India's disappointing start to the series.

First Test Syndrome

India often starts poorly in the first Test match of a series, only to redeem themselves in subsequent matches, as seen in recent series results.

Border-Gavaskar 2020–21: Lost by 8 wickets but won the series 2–1 India in South Africa 2017–18: Lost by 72 runs but lost the series 2–1 Border-Gavaskar 2016–17: Lost by 333 runs but won the series 2–1 England in India 2016–17: Match drawn but won the series 4–0

It's clear that a poor start can lead to a significant gain in performance as the series progresses. In this case, the Indian team overcame their initial struggles to perform better as the series went on.

Middle Order Struggling

The Indian middle order has been experiencing challenges. Since the New Zealand series, only one century has been scored by the middle order in the last seven games. Here are the batting averages of the key players:

Pujara: 32.78 (7 matches) Rahane: 27.69 (7 matches) Kohli: 24.87 (4 matches) Vihari: 19.75 (5 matches)

This struggle highlights the importance of stability and form in the middle order for a successful batting unit.

Unsettled Opening Partnership

India has been struggling to find a long-term opening pair consistently. The following table shows the number of opening partners used in the last ten Test matches:

Opposition Opening Partners South Africa 2017–18 Shaw - Mayank England 2016–17 Gill - Rohit Australia 2020–21 Mohammad

The inconsistency in the opening pair has contributed to the team's overall struggles. While Mayank was regularly opening for India, his recent drop and Rohit's poor performances have shifted the balance.

Absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami

The absence of experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami has worsened India's performance. While Nadeem and Sundar faced challenges due to inexperience, their lack of experience was evident in the first Test match. These injuries have also deprived India of crucial bowling firepower that they need to compete effectively.

Losing the Toss

One of the most critical factors in the first Test match was the loss of the toss. If India had won the toss and batted first on a placid Chennai track, the game would have taken a different turn. On typical Indian pitches, batting first and playing patiently can significantly impact the final outcome.

Strong English Middle Order

England's strong middle order, with Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler, has made it difficult for India to win. Joe Root especially has been in exceptional form, and the depth of the English middle order is a significant factor in their overall success.

Captaincy and Leadership

The leadership under Virat Kohli has shown improvements in away tests compared to MS Dhoni's era, but with Rahane's poor form and age considerations, the decision to appoint Rahane as captain is questionable. Rahane showed good leadership in the limited sample size, but Kohli's experience is also invaluable to the team's performance.

Overall, the Indian team is capable of winning the series but needs to address the issues highlighted here. A focused approach and a stable opening partnership are crucial for future victories.