New Delhi: India will have fond memories of winning by three wickets at Brisbane’s Gabba, the venue of the third Test against Australia that begins on Saturday, and would feel at home though their batters must put up a much improved display, said Matthew Hayden.
In four innings of the first two matches, India have been shot out cheaply three times. With the series locked at 1-1, Indian batters need to apply themselves under the challenging seam and bouncy conditions in Australia, the former opener said.
“India must bat better, they must bat for time. They must bat a day of Test match cricket. Under a day, unacceptable. Has to be in that 350 zone. India should bat first even if there are challenging conditions,” Hayden told Star Sports.
“Brisbane, different ball game! It’s a home game, but it’s actually a very good game for India as well because they’ve got memories of the last time they encountered Australia in the BGT,” he added, referring to India’s 2-1 series win in 2021.
‘Target fourth, fifth stump line’
The 53-year-old also said that the Indian bowlers should concentrate on bowling “fourth, fifth stump line” to trouble the Aussie batters. They should also look to utilise the natural bounce on offer at Gabba.
India win the series opener at Perth by 295 runs but slumped to a 10-wicket loss in the day night Test at Adelaide.
“India, when they do get a chance to bowl, they need to rely on hovering in that fourth, fifth stump line a bit more. And most importantly, they need to use their bounce,” the former left hander said.
“It’s a key arsenal as part of a fast bowling unit in Brisbane. The red ball will definitely be more familiar in terms of Test match cricket. Australia have the running with the pink ball, they won so much with it.”
With the series locked at 1-1, Indian batters need to apply themselves under the challenging conditions, said Matthew Hayden Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
