The ongoing Test series between India and Australia has been a gripping affair, with moments of brilliance and controversy taking center stage. Among the highlights of the series was the resilience shown by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who proved to be the difference between India facing a follow-on or salvaging a respectable first innings at the Gabba. As the visitors strive to find their footing, some team management decisions—particularly the omission of top-ranked all-rounder Jadeja in the earlier games—have sparked intense debates.
When India found themselves in trouble on Day 4 at the Gabba, KL Rahul once again showcased why he is regarded as one of India’s most dependable batters in crunch situations. Walking into bat after yet another failure from Rohit Sharma, who edged Pat Cummins to Alex Carey for just 10 runs, Rahul stood tall amidst the storm.
His innings of 84, laced with elegant drives and gritty defense, was a testament to his ability to thrive under pressure. Rahul’s partnership of 67 runs for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja gave India hope of avoiding the follow-on. However, his brilliant knock was cut short by a jaw-dropping catch from Steve Smith at slips, leaving him just 14 runs shy of what would have been a well-deserved century.
If Rahul laid the foundation, it was Ravindra Jadeja who added grace and fight to India’s innings. Making his first appearance in the series, Jadeja brought his trademark flair and resilience to the crease. His half-century, marked by his iconic sword celebration, revived India’s fortunes. It was his 25th Test fifty and the third on Australian soil—a feat that left fans and pundits wondering why the World No. 1 all-rounder was benched for the first two Tests.
While Jadeja went wicketless in the match and conceded 52 runs with the ball, his contribution with the bat was invaluable. His absence in the earlier games, particularly the day-night Test in Adelaide, has raised serious questions about the team management’s decision-making. Critics, including former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, have pointed out that leaving out a player of Jadeja’s caliber was a glaring oversight.
Rohit Sharma’s performance in the series has been underwhelming. As captain, much was expected of him to lead from the front, but his inconsistency with the bat has been a recurring issue. In the Brisbane Test, his dismissal for 10 runs added to India’s woes, leaving the team precariously placed early on. With Rohit failing to anchor the innings, the pressure fell on the middle order, where Rahul and Jadeja rose to the occasion.
India’s fightback with the bat was crucial in avoiding a follow-on, a situation where the team batting second is required to bat again if their first-innings total falls short by 200 runs in a five-day match. Thanks to the contributions from Rahul and Jadeja, India managed to inch past the critical threshold, ensuring they did not have to face the ignominy of batting consecutively under challenging conditions.
Gambhir has been vocal about the team management’s choices throughout the series. The decision to play Washington Sundar in Perth and later replace him with Ravichandran Ashwin in Adelaide—while keeping Jadeja on the sidelines—has not gone unnoticed. Sundar managed 33 runs and three wickets across his outing, while Ashwin’s solitary wicket and 29 runs in two innings were far from impactful. In contrast, Jadeja’s stellar performance in Brisbane has reignited questions about why he was overlooked.
As the Test series heads towards its conclusion, the spotlight remains on India’s strategy and execution. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja have proven their worth under pressure, but the team management must reassess their approach to ensure that India fields its best XI in every game. Rohit Sharma’s form, the balance of the playing XI, and leveraging the experience of players like Jadeja at the right time will be key factors in determining India’s fortunes moving forward.
The Brisbane Test may well be remembered for the heroics of Rahul and Jadeja, but it also serves as a wake-up call for the Indian think tank. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if the lessons from this game are carried forward as India continues its quest for glory Down Under.
