-Vinay Kumar
The first match of the 4-match Test series between India and Australia (India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Test Series, 2023) will be played in Nagpur from 9 February. Team India is practicing in Nagpur and preparing to avenge the previous series, the Australian team is preparing edge in Bangalore. The Australian team is practicing on the balls of Mahesh Pithiya, an Indian bowler with his own style, to avoid becoming a victim of the deadly bowling of Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Steve Smith faced the bowling of spinner Mahesh Pithia at the nets. During this practice, Smith was clean bowled by Mahesh Pithia in Ashwin-like style ball and he was also stumped twice in his bowling.
Australia’s coaching team was greatly impressed by Pithia’s bowling in preparation for the war. It was told that he had seen videos of Pithia’s bowling on Instagram. And, called them for practice.
Significantly, spinner Pithia is originally from Junagadh in Saurashtra. He came to Baroda because of his passion for cricket. In 2013, Pithia had seen Ravichandran Ashwin bowling against the West Indies. After which he realized that there is a glimpse of Ashwin in his bowling.
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Significantly, not only Ravichandran, Akshar Patel can also prove to be very fatal for Australia in the latest Test series. For this reason, the Australian team contracted Shashank Mehrotra, who bowls in his style, for practice.
Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey and Renshaw faced Mehrotra’s bowling in the practice session.
According to cricket pundits, the Nagpur pitch can help spin bowlers. For this reason, the Australian team is making full preparations to deal with the Indian spinners.