Last Update: February 20, 2023, 15:58 IST
Australia suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Sunday. India Delhi thrashed the visitors to register a clinical 6-wicket win. After the poor performance of the audience, questions are being raised on Australia’s team selection. Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell gave his views on the matter and lashed out at the Australian team management for trusting uncapped spinner Matthew Kuhnmann over all-rounder Ashton Agar.
Kuhnman was included in the Australian squad after the First Test in Nagpur as a replacement for leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Swepson had to move back to Australia due to his family commitments. Right after earning the call-up, Kuhnmann made his Delhi Test debut. The decision to include the youngster in the playing XI did not go down well with Chappell.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, the Australian veteran told ESPNCricinfo, “I don’t know what Australia were trying to prove with Matthew Kuhnman. From what I have seen of Kuhnmann, I don’t think he is going to scare many Indian batsmen.
Chappell explained, “You see Kuhnman coming into the team before Ashton Agar, you would think Agar would be bowling really poorly if suddenly Kuhnman is a better option than him. I think there was a bit of nervousness in the Australian camp.”
However, according to Shaun Tait, Australian selector Tony Dodemide revealed to the media that Agar was overlooked in the starting XI because the bowler himself was not satisfied with his performance in the longest format.
Considered his debut, Kuhnmann failed to deliver against high-flying India. The 26-year-old off-spinner managed just two wickets, both of which came during India’s first innings. he got stuck Virat Kohli Before dismissing tail-ender Mohammed Shami for LBW. On the other hand, Agar has so far played 5 Test matches for the Australian team, taking a total of 9 wickets.
After the first two encounters of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia are on the backfoot as India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja once again rose to the occasion, taking 10 wickets in two innings including a career-best Test spell of 7/42. The third Test match between India and Australia will be played on March 1 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
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