The Australian team which started the tour in a little timid, shy and aloof fashion have found its voice in the past couple of days
Australian opener David Warner takes a break from practice in Bangalore yesterday. Pic/PTI
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Bangalore: The Australian team which started the tour in a little timid, shy and aloof fashion have found its voice in the past couple of days. Steve Smith has a swagger in his steps and now that the Aussies have taken an early lead, the skipper is up for mind games. Else, why would he state that the hosts are feeling the pinch after the loss in Pune.
There is a general belief that this aggressive approach brings out the best in the Australian players. At the same time, the visitors also need to be a bit cautious and not deviate from their plan which brought them success in the opening Test last week.
With India's awesome record at home in recent times, the hosts were the favourites to clinch the four-Test series. But things happened so quickly in Pune that Australia's win almost looked like a 100m dash. Now, the question is, can they over power the hosts in a marathon? Things are expected to be different in Bangalore. Both teams will have to go through the grind and there won't be any shortcuts to success. Bowlers will need to toil, strategies executed diligently and batsmen expected to spend countless minutes at the crease.
India have shown this season that they play their best cricket by grinding down the opposition over five days. Australia have managed to bat more than 100 overs only once in their previous five first innings in Asia. While batting for 80 overs on a rank turner in Pune was good enough for a win, the tourists will have to show greater discipline if they need to bat for a substantial period of time.