Matthew Kuhnemann was the hero for Australia on Day 1 of the third Test against India at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday, March 1. He picked up five wickets to run riot on the Indian batting order and made the most of the pitch conditions. The off-spinner, who made his debut in the second Test in Delhi, revealed that watching the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja in that game gave him an idea of how to tackle the Indian spin-friendly conditions, which he made the most of in Indore.
The 26-year-old said that he was an ardent follower of the careers of Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin over the years. He added that seeing Jadeja use the crease well during his 7-wicket haul in the 2nd innings of the Delhi Test was useful to him in the match in Indore.
India vs Australia Day 1 report
"The way he uses his crease and probably the biggest thing I picked up in Delhi is that he brings his length back a little bit when the ball gets a little bit older. That's probably the main thing I took out of the second Test and brought into this Test, probably my length. Don't want to get full, especially on a wicket that stays low, being consistent on that 5-6 meter length," Kuhnemann said after his maiden 5-wicket Test haul.
The spinner from Queensland also spoke about his conversation with Jadeja, "I said to him, have you got any tips for me after the last Test? He said 'yes, at the end of the series'," Kuhnemann said with a smile on his face.
Kuhnamann and senior spin partner Nathan Lyon bundled India out for just 109 on Day 1 after Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Virat Kohli (22) was their highest run-getter, showing how effective the pitch was for the Australian spinners.
Appreciating the support he received from Lyon, Kuhnemann said, "Nathan Lyon was excellent out there. Even after a couple of wickets he said don't get ahead of yourself, just think about bowling that ball ... he was great for me, at mid-off most of the day."
Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy, who was the hero for Australia in the first Test in Nagpur where he picked up 7 wickets on his debut in Nagpur Test, had the opportunity for a stint at a spin clinic in Chennai as part of the MRF tour.
"Me and Todd (Murphy) were in the MRF tour in Chennai probably six months ago and that left me in good stead to go well in these games," the left-arm spinner added.