Border-Gavaskar Trophy: If India get 280 to 300 they might not have to bat again, says Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke has claimed that India could run away with the game and claim an innings win in the Nagpur Test if they score 280 to 300 runs in the first innings. Clarke slammed Cummins for his tactics on Day one.

Australia are on the backfoot at the end of Day one’s play (Courtesy: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has claimed that India may run away with the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 with an innings victory if they end up scoring 280-300 runs in the first innings.

The visitors had won the toss and opted to bat first. But the decision proved to be the wrong one as the Indian bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja, ran through the batting order with the left-arm spinner picking up a five-wicket haul.

India captain Rohit Sharma then played an aggressive knock of 56 from 69 deliveries as the hosts finished Day one at 77 for one and with firm control of the match in Nagpur.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST DAY 2 LIVE UPDATES

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, as quoted by Sportskeeda, Clarke claimed that Pat Cummins will have to be smart with his tactics otherwise India could take the lead in the series with an innings win in Nagpur.

“I know we haven’t got many runs and that’s a tough one for Patty to work with, so he’s trying to give his bowlers some protection, but you want the batter to try and take a risk.”

“You want them to try and take a risk and hit that one over the top. If they hit one or two over the top, fair play, put him back. But he’s just got to be really smart with his tactics here. If India get 280 to 300, mate, they might not have to bat again,” said Clarke.

Cummins had a rough day in the office with the ball as he was taken apart by Sharma. Clarke said that he was surprised by the Australian skipper’s tactics on day one of the first Test.

“I know they’ve only got 177 runs on the board, but you’ve still got to look to take wickets.”

“I was surprised at Pat Cummins’ tactics yesterday. He had a long-on every ball Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy bowled.”

“If the ball’s spinning like you think it is, for them to try and hit one over mid-on’s head brings in an inside edge to mid-wicket, brings in stumped, brings in bowled, brings in caught bat-pad,” said Clarke.