After thrashing Australia on the fourth day of the second Test match, India is right on top. India started as favourites in this series and they will continue it to be so. They way Indian batters and bowlers have performed in last two Test matches, there were hardly any signs that Australia could even compete with the hosts. Here we bring before you the hits and flops from the second Test.

HITS

Ravichandran Ashwin: Ravichandran Ashwin had looked in stupendous bowling form in this series. It's good to see that he is sticking to basics rather than trying something fancy to get the batsmen out. He has already picked up 18 wickets in this series and has got three five-wicket hauls. Ashwin has been looking much more lethal in this series than ever. His accurate bowling has not only fetched him wickets but a lot of praise from senior pros.

If he continues to bowl in this same manner, he can beat the record of Harbhajan Singh of picking up 32 wickets in a 2000-01 Border-Gavaskar series. Though that was a three-match series, but after two matches Harbhajan was having a tally of 17 wickets which is one less than Ashwin's present tally. If Ashwin can again spin the web around Aussie batsmen, then he can surely achieve that record.

Chetashwar Pujara: He has completed his first 1000 runs in just 18 innings and he has scored four centuries and one half-centuries. His conversion rate is extra-ordinary and that’s why ex-cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri have always praised him for his brilliant batting performances. He has certainly learnt a lot of lessons from Sachin Tendulkar with whom he batted for quite a sometime in the first Test.

His Innings in Hyderabad was more special not just because of his wife watching it but also because of the manner he was scoring those runs. Normally Pujara is a very steady player and he hardly goes beyond a strike rate of 40 to 45. But in this innings, there was hardly a moment when he let it go below 50. Composure that he adds to his innings is a treat to watch and the longer he bats the better he gets.

Murli Vijay: He has been in the line of fire when he failed in his two outings in Chennai. But in Hyderabad, he looked a very different player and he played very steadily. He changed his game completely and was looking to spend as much time as possible at the crease. He supported Pujara really well and played a marathon innings. Both of them added 370 runs for the third-wicket partnership which was good enough to beat Australia.

After playing such a sensible knock, he has surely earned his place for the next two Test matches. He has lived up to the expectation of Indian captain MS Dhoni. Vijay was avoiding the balls that were going way outside the off-stump and that made him a better player. He was not looking for playing some big shots but he stepped up against the Aussie spinners when it was needed. This kind of power-packed performance is what he needs to deliver in the remaining two Tests.

Ravindra Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja was preferred over Suresh Raina and that created a lot of buzz in Indian cricket fans. But the decision of selectors worked out really well. Jadeja has worked a lot on his bowling and that’s why he has been so accurate with his line and length. His effectiveness on turning track is very much visible and the real credit for his performance goes to MS Dhoni who made him play in first two Test matches. Any captain would have preferred Pragyan Ojha but Captain Cool had something else in his mind and his decision to unleash Jadeja on fragile Aussie line-up worked out really well.

Jadeja has not only been active with his bowling but with his fielding also. The energy that he brings in the 30-yard circle with his fellow team-mate Virat Kohli makes Indian fielding look a lot better. He has picked up 11 wickets in this series so far and has complimented Ravichandran Ashwin really well.

Michael Clarke: Australian Captain Michael Clarke has been in stupendous form and has already piled up 268 runs in his four outings. His foot work against the spinners has been a treat to watch but interestingly he has got out all four times against them. Jadeja has dismissed him three times so far and Ashwin has deceived him once.

Clarke has always been short of partners whenever he is on the crease and that has let the Australia down in this series. He has been playing his part really well but no one can deny the fact that this is the most inexperienced team that Australia has ever toured with in past 20 odd years.

FLOPS

Virender Sehwag: Daredevil opener Virender Sehwag has been in the line of fire and has been dropped from the final two Tests. He has reached the double figure mark just once in the first two Tests. He has been getting out very cheaply and those big scores have been missing for quite a long time.

His failure on out-side subcontinent has been ignored for quite a sometime but his inability to get runs on Indian wicket has cost him his place in the Indian team.

Shane Watson: Shane Watson has been one of the few experienced members ofAustralian squad and a lot was expected from him. But he has failed to deliver so far in this Test series. He has been trying to attack Indian bowlers from the very first ball and has shown no signs of patience whatsoever.

Watson has enough experience of playing on Indian wickets but his application has not been up to the mark and that’s why he has been failing consistently. He can be the real threat for Indian bowlers but for that to happen he should try to spend at least 30 odd overs at the crease.

Moises Henriques: Moises Henriques did really well in his debut Test but he lost his touch when he came out to bat in Hyderabad. Apart from batting, his bowling has not been looking any good.

Henriques has picked up just one wicket in this series so far and has given away 93 runs. He is very much new to the longer format of the game but kind of problem that Australian team is in a lot is expected from player of his caliber.

Peter Siddle: Peter Siddle who was talking a lot about getting Sachin Tendulkar out has not even managed to get the wicket of newcomers like Chetashwar Pujara. He has picked up just two wickets in the four Innings with an average of 81. Being a senior pro, this kind of performance is just not acceptable from Siddle.

Playing Peter Siddle instead of Mitchell Johnson has surely backfired and if this amendment is not made in the next Test match, then Australia is likely pay the price. Australian team management has to look back and draw a new strategy to counter their problems in every department otherwise doors will be closed for them.

By Amit Chopra
Indian Sports News Network