Australian media react to Nagpur 'humiliation': Don't blame wicket, blame team's state of mind

The talks about "doctored Nagpur pitch" are over and the same Australian media have now given away that team's "state of mind" and not the wicket is to be blamed for the massive innings and 132-run defeat in the opening Test of the 4-match Border Gavaskar Trophy.

After getting a 177-run first innings lead, India bundled out Australia for 91 - their lowest Test total in India to register the thumping win. Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the ninth player to register 450 scalps in Test cricket, picked a five-wicket haul in the second innings as the match ended inside three days.

The Australian media have termed the defeat as a "humiliation" and an "embarrassment, and their former cricketers have called for changes ahead of the second Test in Delhi.

What did Australian media say?

"Pat Cummins' side has been humiliated in the first Nagpur Test match," The Australian broadsheet wrote.

"There's no blaming the wicket when the opposition post 400, but there's potential to blame the state of mind the Australians approached the game in."

It has debated over David Warner's place in the Australian Test squad and raised questions on the decision to drop Travis Head, one of the team's standout players during the home summer.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the world number one Test side had been dealt "a brutal reality check in their quest for world domination by India's spin masters". Sydney's Daily Telegraph has also urged change.

"The axing of Travis Head looked silly on day one and positively stupid on day three after Australia's dreadful performance," Telegraph said.

"He must return. But Travis Head alone would not have raised the Titanic."

Former Aussie greats react

Former captain Allan Border said the team should be "embarrassed" and would be left with "so many scars".

"I hope our players are embarrassed by that performance. It's just poor all around. It's hard to believe it's happened so quickly," Border told Fox Sports.

"It seems like we overthought this particular tour and who should be there, who shouldn't be there. We've started as badly as we possibly could. Hopefully that's rock bottom."

Mark Waugh, a selector during Australia's 2017 campaign in India, has also batted for Head's inclusion in the second Test.

"There have been too many bruises from this game to move forward (with the current side). If Cameron Green is fit, he has to come in and Head has to come back in," the former Australia cricketer said.

Australia predicted XI for second Test?

In this scenario, Matt Renshaw or Peter Handscomb will have to give way for Head. The availability of Green could also allow Australia to recall Ashton Agar if curators prepare a raging turner at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Senior Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has also progressed well with his finger injury and will be landing in New Delhi by Sunday. His availability will cause further selection conundrum for the visitors.

"Starcy lands today or tomorrow in Delhi," Australia’s skipper told reporters after the Nagpur Test.

"I think Joshy might not be quite ready for Delhi. He's getting up and running now, he's pretty close, but I don't think he'll be quite ready for Delhi.

"Greeny's a bit of a wait and see. Still hoping (he could return), he's had a couple of good hits out here. He's bowling's pretty good, the next couple of days we'll assess it."

Further, Cummins has insisted that there won't be many changes in the top-order.

"A lot of it was good bowling, two masters of their craft, fresh legs, they bowled really well," he said.

"In saying that I don't think much is going to change the next couple of games. That's what we're going to come against so we have to find better methods.

"You saw Smithy and Alex Carey at times put the pressure back on the bowlers. I think it takes a bit of bravery, it's easier said than done.

"If you're just facing ball after ball and the bowler's pretty good, you're going to get one with your name on it.

"Again, that will be the conversation this week. If we get the same conditions, same bowlers, what are we going to do differently? I think at times probably being more proactive," Cummins added.