New Delhi: Notwithstanding the 2-0 scoreline in favour of the home team, former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan is impressed with the brand of cricket played in the series and feels Indians have a good chance to bounce back in Melbourne in the third cricket Test, starting tomorrow.
After losing the first two games of the four-match Test series, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company are in a must-win situation before the Boxing Day Test which according to Bevan's prediction will be an intriguing battle.
"I really expected the Indians to challenge Australians in Adelaide given the wicket conditions. Adelaide and Melbourne are the best chances I think for the Indians to win matches," Bevan told PTI in an interaction today.
India lost the opening game at the Adelaide Oval by 48 runs and came back strongly at Gabba to post 408 in the first innings only to lose it from there. But Bevan, 44, believes the Adelaide loss had no bearing on the Brisbane Test.
"And I think the way the Indians batted in the first innings, shows that they didn't carry anything from the loss in Adelaide to the Gabba Test.
"Because their batting in the first innings in Brisbane was really quite solid. On a ground where traditionally they struggle, they were quite impressive in their first innings," said the former left-handed batsman who is part of the video show 'Match Point' on ESPNCricinfo,
There might be a scrutiny on Dhoni's leadership skills, especially after stand-in-skipper Virat Kohli's brave showing in the opening Test, but Bevan still is a big fan of 'Captain Cool'.
"I have always been a big Dhoni fan with regard to his leadership skills and the quality of cricket skills that he has. And I think it has been noticeable throughout his reign as captain that India have played quite well. I haven't seen much of Virat's captaincy so it's hard to make a decision for someone I have not seen," Bevan, who represented Australia in 232 ODIs and 18 Tests, said.
