Retaining India in the first innings was important in Australia’s victory: Chappell
Former captain Ian Chappell believes dismissing India cheaply in the first innings on a pitch that “turned and unevenly bounced” on the opening day of the third Test here proved to be the key to turning around Australia’s fortunes. India were bundled out for 109 and 163 in both innings of the third Test as Australia sealed their place in the World Test Championship final with a nine-wicket victory. Australia lost the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi within three days.
The great cricketer Chappell told ‘ESPN Cricinfo’, “The important thing was to cover India cheaply in the first innings.” By doing this, Australia gave themselves a chance to get a good lead. It was not a huge lead but it was good on this pitch and proved useful. “He said,” Then in the second innings they had to chase such a low score, although Australia lost an early wicket but then the team decided to be aggressive and won. ,
Chappell said, “It was important for me to get India out cheaply in the first innings and with what happened in the first two Tests, it takes a lot of courage to change things. He said the visiting team knew what they needed to turn things around on the tour but lacked the execution in the first two Tests.
Chappell termed the decision not to pick Travis Head in the first Test as ‘ridiculous’ and said the Australian tour selection committee eventually understood and rectified their mistake. The fourth and final Test of the series will begin in Ahmedabad from March 9.
