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#IndiaInAustralia: Glenn McGrath feels India got fooled by Perth deck
14 Dec 2018
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli went ahead with a four-man pace attack for the second Test against Australia being held at the new Perth Stadium.
The decision went on to raise eyebrows as both fans and pundits criticized the move.
And now Glenn McGrath echoed the same regarding the Indian captain's team selection.
Here's more.
India opted for Umesh instead of Jadeja
Selection
The talks of a lively and fast pitch did the rounds prior to this Test.
And this was for the second time under Kohli's captaincy that India fielded no specialist spinner in a match.
With R Ashwin ruled out of this Test due to injury, it was expected that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would replace him.
But, Kohli handed a call-up to pacer Umesh Yadav.
Aussies select ace spinner Lyon for this Test
Lyon
Australia on the other hand went ahead with their chief spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon picked eight wickets in the first Test and the hosts seemed settled with his presence in the side.
In the press conference on Thursday, majority of the time was spent talking about the pitch.
And Kohli, who stated that he was excited, went on with the flow.
Perth pitch isn't as vicious as expected
Pitch
Australia got off to a terrific start on Day 1 of the second Test with their opening pair adding 113 runs for the first wicket.
Looking at the pitch, it wasn't as vicious as expected.
At tea, Australia rallied on to 145/3, with part-time spinner Hanuma Vihari claiming a wicket as well.
McGrath believes India were fooled by the hype created,.
They have got caught up in the hype: McGrath
Views
McGrath told Channel Seven, "They (India) have got caught up in the hype and felt this pitch was going to do everything, bounce, pace, carry, seam."
Besides McGrath, former England captain Michael Vaughan too expressed his disappointment with the team selected by Kohli.
Vaughan felt that Kohli will rue his decision as the Test match progresses.
Michael Vaughan questions India's team selection as well
Fact
According to a report in Fox Cricket, Vaughan opined, "The three quicks are outstanding and I do think over the course of the next few days Virat (Kohli) will be looking over his shoulder and thinking 'why didn't I play a specialist spinner?'
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