In the world of cricket, few moments are as highly anticipated as a face-off between top-class bowlers and seasoned batsmen. As Australia prepares for a crucial showdown with India, all eyes are on the contest between Scott Boland, the in-form Australian pacer, and KL Rahul, the resilient Indian batsman.
Boland, known for his precise line and length, is eager to intensify the pressure on India’s vice captain and consolidate his place as one of Australia’s leading bowlers. The second four-day A-team match at the MCG will once again revolve around the final audition for the opening batting spot in Australia’s Test team, but fast bowler Scott Boland is looking forward to the opportunity to keep the pressure on Indian Test squad member KL Rahul, who arrived here early to play for India A.
Reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and Rahul, who played the first Test against New Zealand before being benched when Shubman Gill was fit, left India ahead of the rest of the Test squad to play against Australia A to gain match experience.
Key Match-Ups: Boland vs. Rahul A Battle to Watch
The spotlight will undoubtedly be on the battle between Boland and Rahul, but several other matchups could play a significant role in the match’s outcome. Australia’s Mitchell Starc against India’s middle order and India’s spinners against Australia’s aggressive batting lineup will be crucial contests within the game.
Targeting KL Rahul: The Reason Behind the Focus
India’s great opener KL Rahul has been the mainstay player in the team’s batting lineup. Known for his elegant stroke play and ability to anchor innings, Rahul is one of the pillars of the Indian top order. However, he has also shown susceptibility to well-directed pace and bounce, something that Boland is keen to exploit.
In recent matches, Rahul has had moments of vulnerability, particularly in early overs when facing swing and seam. Boland’s emphasis on accuracy and exploiting any slight movement off the pitch could spell trouble for Rahul if he isn’t cautious. With Rahul being a crucial player for India, his early dismissal would not only dent India’s plans but also create an opening for the Australians to dominate.
Boland’s recent comments suggest that he’s aware of the pressure Rahul is under and sees it as an opportunity to intensify that pressure further. “Rahul is a class player, no doubt about it. But if we can get him early, it could shift the momentum in our favor,” Boland stated in a pre-match interview.
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Boland Confident Against Rahul: Australian Pacer Targets Indian Batsman
Australia pacer Scott Boland hopes to continue Rahul’s poor form and keep him under pressure ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when he takes on the Indian batsman in the four-day A-team clash.
If Rohit Sharma cannot play and Boland believes he has the ability to make an impact, Rahul, who averages 20.77 in five Tests despite scoring a century at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2015, could be picked for the first Test in Perth.
It would be great to play against Rahul on his home ground, but Boland said he had the privilege of bowling Test overs to Rahul in India a few years ago. Although Rahul is a highly rated player, Boland believes he can be outplayed very quickly and ideally can be dominated for most of the summer.
Like several Australian cricketers, Boland also referred to India’s 3-0 loss to New Zealand but advised against drawing too much from the result. Before the spinners performed brilliantly in Pune and Mumbai to secure the famous whitewash, the visiting team’s fast bowlers did most of the damage in the first Test.
Boland said that the ground has a lot of bounce and seam. What you will see in India will be completely different from what the Indian team hosts.
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Most of India’s Test squad will not play a full match in Australia before the first Test, with the scheduled intra-squad match against India A being converted into a match simulation for greater preparation flexibility.
Boland Ready to Step Up as Australia’s Reserve Quick
Boland is considered a backup player for the Test team and is likely to get a chance to play at some stage. This is because it is believed that the three players’ successful domestic form last season was “exceptional,” and therefore, other players will be needed.
Boland, who averages 12.21 in home Tests, has already admitted he thought he had a chance last season but fell short because of the stamina of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins and the fact no match lasted five days.
He is recovering from an injury suffered early in the season after a county match against Durham was cancelled due to a heel problem. He played a 28-over innings against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield last month. Boland said that although he was a little bit restricted about the number of overs he could play in that match, he did not expect to be benched for Australia A.
“It felt like a long six months between games,” Boland quoted. “Remember being out on the ground in the Shield game and was just really happy to be back playing cricket. Haven’t had too many breaks for injury throughout my career, so it was different going through all the rehab.”
Boland’s Rising Stature in the Australian Team
Scott Boland has made a name for himself in recent times with his consistent performances for Australia. Although relatively new to the international circuit, Boland’s discipline with line and length has earned him a reputation as a formidable bowler. His ability to bowl accurate, probing deliveries has made him an integral part of Australia’s bowling attack.
In the last few series, Boland has demonstrated a knack for getting breakthroughs during crucial moments, putting pressure on the opposition’s top order. His recent spells have showcased his maturity and a clear strategy that relies on maintaining relentless pressure rather than sheer pace. Against India, Boland has been effective in keeping the batsmen on their toes, making him a key player in the Australian camp.
Source Link: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/aus-a-v-ind-a-scott-boland-eyes-chance-to-keep-pressure-on-kl-rahul-1458495