India vs Australia 2017: 5 things Australia must do to win in Ranchi

#2 – Strangle Indian batsmen by bowling dry

KL Rahul is turning into an attacking batsman at the top of the order

In sharp contrast to their ploy with the bat, Australia’s bowling strategy needs to be on the other end of the spectrum. The bowlers’ yearning for wickets was evident from those 40-45 minutes before lunch on the third day in Bengaluru when the Indian openers swiftly wiped off 38 runs of the deficit. Nathan Lyon went from claiming the best ever figures by a visiting bowler to going wicket-less in the space of a single day.

The key difference between the off-spinner’s performance in each innings was his approach. Unlike a measured mind instructing to hit the same spot ball after ball during the first innings, Lyon went searching for wickets and lost his rhythm in the process during the second essay.

In Ranchi, the Australian bowlers cannot afford to repeat the same mistake again. Blocking the scoring areas with precise field-placements and constantly building pressure by resorting to tight lines should force the Indian batsmen to play into their traps. Subsequently, the wickets will follow.