West Indies cricket legend Andy Roberts has lauded Mohammed Shami as India’s most skilled pacer, emphasizing his superiority in effectiveness and consistency over others, including Jasprit Bumrah. While acknowledging Bumrah’s ability to claim crucial wickets, Roberts expressed that Shami’s control, seam positioning, and adaptability under diverse conditions set him apart.

Roberts critiqued Mohammed Siraj, stating he has yet to reach the same level as Bumrah and Shami. He highlighted that Shami’s ability to relentlessly hit good lengths and extract movement makes him India’s standout bowler. He urged Indian cricket to focus more on nurturing such talent for long-term success in international cricket.

Roberts’ observations offer a fresh perspective on India’s pace attack dynamics, sparking debates among cricket fans worldwide.

Following India’s heavy loss to Australia in the first Test of the series, Australian media highlighted key concerns for the Indian team, including Rohit Sharma’s performance as captain. Pat Cummins and his team’s emphatic win by 209 runs sparked discussions about India’s bowling strategy and batting collapse.

Australian newspapers like The Age underscored Mitchell Starc’s lethal bowling display as a stark reminder of his prowess in Test cricket. Starc’s fiery spell dismantled India’s top order, a performance seen as pivotal in Australia’s dominant victory. The media also pointed out the pressure mounting on Rohit Sharma for tactical shortcomings, including field placements and decision-making under challenging circumstances.

India’s batting lineup faltered against Australia’s aggressive bowling, with only a few players resisting. Critics emphasized that the Indian team’s inability to adapt to the pink-ball conditions in Adelaide cost them dearly. The media also praised Australia for its disciplined approach, particularly the consistency of its pace attack, which Starc and Cummins led.

As the series progresses, this defeat puts India under immense pressure to bounce back, especially with the spotlight on Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s resilience. Fans now await India’s response in the next Test.

The first day of the much-anticipated pink-ball Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw the Indian bowlers struggle, much to the frustration of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar expressed his discontent over India’s performance on Day 1, noting that the bowlers failed to capitalize on favorable conditions, allowing Australia to gain a crucial edge.

Despite the early promise shown by India’s pace attack, Australia capitalized on the conditions and reached a solid total. Gavaskar particularly pointed out that the Indian bowlers did not maintain consistent lines and lengths, resulting in easy runs for the Australian batsmen. He emphasized that such a performance would not be enough to win a Test match, especially when facing a side like Australia, known for its resilience under pressure.

The pink-ball Test, renowned for its unpredictable swing and seam movement under lights, requires bowlers to adapt quickly. Gavaskar noted that while the conditions seemed to favor the bowlers at the start, India’s inability to seize the moment was disappointing. He urged the Indian team to regroup and come out stronger on Day 2, stressing that a change in approach was necessary to close the gap and regain control.

As the match progresses, all eyes will be on the Indian bowlers to bounce back and take crucial wickets to shift the momentum in their favor. The next few days of play will be vital in determining the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.