This is the match of the century, Dharmasala.
India after coming of a 19 run trot off home victories were predicted to whitewash Australia 4-0
The scoreline reads 1-1 with the final decider tomorrow. India have tried every dirty trick in the book including but not limited to shameless pitch doctoring, even actually going over it with wire brushes, but it backfired spectacularly.
It's little Oz vs the combined might of One Billion People who love their cricket. It's big, it's huge, everything is on the line, if India lose there will burning effigies and it will be a national crisis.
It's a tale of two captains, Kohli the flawed genius who thinks it's his divine duty to lead his country to a never before achieved series victory in Australia who is now tasked with avoiding humiliation at home, vs the enigmatic and affably charming Sir Steven Peter Devereux Smith who has dragged his team of equally flawed old timers and mix of wide eyed newbies to the edge of a dream.
https://youtu.be/Zcrfw-MVJnISmith started as a bowler batting at no.8, when he came in as a batsman he was ridiculed, his technique was weird, he could not get aways with such unorthodox strokes against the best in the world. Who's laughing now...
Smith is the current best batsman in the Galaxy after Smith comes fresh air, then everyone else. To put that in perspective that would be like Matt Shoemaker of the Angels besting Devin Mesoraco after 3 years in the squad. Note: I know nothing about baseball, so I hope that works.
Kohli is a national hero scoring a double century in each of his last 4 matches at home. Beating India at home is the toughest ask in world cricket. Smith has two centuries in the series and Kohli has a highest score of 15 so far. The series has been acrimonious and ugly at times. They call it Test cricket because it is a test of character, your patience, your fortitude, your courage, and your skill is tied to the back of a a Toyota SUV and dragged over burning coals.
Australia's best bowler Mitchell Starc has returned home with a stress fracture in his foot to be replaced by the brilliant Pat Cummins who has not played for Australia since his spectacular debut six years ago due to his fragile frame. Last match he ran through the Indian batting order on a dead pitch faster than a 3 day old corn curry.
Be there, or be square.
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