‘Aussie batsmen were needlessly aggressive'

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Former Australia international Simon Katich on Tuesday said the Indian pacers' ability to maintain "scoreboard pressure" on impatient and needlessly aggressive home batsmen proved to be decisive in visitors maiden Test series triumph.

India won the four-Test series 2-1 with the fourth Test ending in a draw. Katich said that Australian batsmen couldn't manage period of pressure well enough.

"On previous tours they (pacers) haven't been doing well in these conditions. But in this series, this pace attack was magnificent and they built scoreboard pressure. They have got pace and variety, and they were also able to move the ball. Perhaps that has been the big difference in the two teams," Katich said.

"India's bowlers were really patient and Australia's batsmen haven't been patient enough to withstand that pressure. And very good spinners backed up the pacers, whether it was Ashwin, Kuldeep or Jadeja," he said.

Katich said Australian batsmen did not apply themselves after getting starts.

"At times the Australian batsmen showed they could apply themselves well but they couldn't do it for long periods of time. You need to do it day-after-day in Test cricket. Marcus Harris had had a good series — he has got time and a good technique. But he got a lot of starts and didn't go on to make a big one, much like the other batsmen.

"When Australia look back at series, they will see they have got out trying to be too aggressive. They didn't show the right shot selection or right temperament at the right time in any game. There was too much one-tempo batting, rather than going with ebbs while respecting the opposition bowling."

Daily Pioneer
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