India's Batting Woes Continue to Haunt in Australia

India's tour of Australia has been marred by abysmal batting performances, leaving the team struggling to stay competitive in the ongoing Test series. The worrying trend has been ongoing since 2019, with India averaging just 21.75 in first innings away games, culminating in a meager two centuries.

The latest mishap came in the series against Australia, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, usually the pillars of India's batting, failed to impress in the first innings. Rohit's dismal form has been particularly concerning, averaging a paltry 10 in first innings in the 2024-25 season. His former No. 2 and current Indian skipper Kohli, meanwhile, has been struggling against swing bowling, particularly outside the off stump, and has not been able to break the cycle of low scores. The team's reliance on Jasprit Bumrah's all-round performances to keep the scoreboard ticking has been a stark reminder of the depth of the problem.

Australian cricketer Steve Smith, also struggling with technical issues, faces a similar conundrum. His batting average has suffered due to difficulties dealing with the line on the pitch, which is not dissimilar to Kohli's problems. Indian coach Ravi Shastri has suggested a bold solution to combat India's batting woes – batting Rohit at the top of the order. However, this strategy may only exacerbate Rohit's technical challenges. Meanwhile, Kohli, like Smith, is battling to profit from his runs, and seems to be tied down by his defensive technique, essential for success in Test cricket.

As the series shifts to the red ball cricket in Brisbane, India will need not only a strong first innings performance but also concerted efforts from their top-order batsmen to stay competitive and arrest their batting woes. Whether they can overcome their technical issues remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting on their shoulders.