Indian top order was cruel on their own spinners

The Indian top order in the first Test was guilty of plenty. No intent to score and not providing enough time for spinners to relax, writes Ian Healy.

The Indian top order in the first Test was guilty of plenty. No runs, no intent to score, looking unbelievably tentative and not providing sufficient time for the team's spinners to relax between innings.

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Relaxation is crucial but more important is physiological recovery before they have to bowl long spells again. Time for muscles to recover, fluid levels to be replenished, sore feet to abate, spinning joints to loosen before they start to think about batting let alone bowling a second time.

Their top order is not providing them with enough time to shower, let alone relax. They won't last if this continues or if they make it through the four Tests, they will not be effective.

Both spinners are returning from freshening breaks. Surgery to Harbhajan and not too much cricket for Kumble has them in good shape for this series but the pressure they both bowled under in this Test was incredible. They certainly have not been allowed to re-enter at their own tempo. Both men had the task of keeping the runs down and removing Australian batsmen - a combination which so rarely happens.