Australia vs India, 3rd Test: 3 Steps to Success for India at Melbourne

#1 Be more proactive against Nathan Lyon

Lyon has been India's biggest threat

India arrived on Australian shores with the unenviable task of extinguishing the best fast-bowling battery in the world. Though they have done decently in that regard, the final component of Australia’s bowling quartet has posed questions that they might not have prepared for.

At this juncture, the series’ highest wicket-taker is Nathan Lyon, an off-spinner. The off-spinner has taken 16 scalps and was simply sensational at Perth.

However, with India professing to be the best against spin, such numbers shouldn’t really be allowed to rack up. Yet, in the past, India has succumbed to the threat of spin overseas.

While it isn’t the greatest crime to be a little careful against Lyon, India has so far been guilty of getting completely bogged down against the spinner.

In the first innings at Perth, he took five wickets at an economy rate of 1.92. Though the Indians tried to attack a little in the second essay, they went back into their shell quickly and let Lyon bowl at a rate of just over two runs per over.

Lyon has been impeccable with his line and length so far. However, the Indians haven’t really done a lot to alter that. India has either been too reckless like Rohit at Adelaide or too defensive like Pujara at Perth.

Moreover, the fact that 9 of Lyon’s 16 dismissals have come when Indians have tried to defend highlights that the Indians might not be that secure in defence after all.

Thus, they need to adopt a mechanism where they pick and choose when to attack and do so judiciously. The sweep shot could be a probable solution as it could culminate in Lyon moving his line and length.

The threat of Lyon has emerged as the biggest banana skin on this tour. Yet, India, the best players of spin should have a plan up their sleeves.

So far, the plan hasn’t seen the light of the day and if it doesn’t rear its head at Melbourne, things could turn pear-shaped very swiftly.