Indian media Friday lashed out at the country's famed batting lineup for letting the team down in the opening Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Chasing a 292-run target Thursday, India failed to cope with Australia's pace attack as they were shot out for 169 despite the batting experience of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Venkatsai Laxman and Virender Sehwag. “Melbourne Meltdown” said a Times of India headline after the tourists' 122-run defeat. “Those expecting India's much-vaunted batting lineup to give Australia a run for their money were disappointed when Dhoni and Co. surrendered without even putting up a semblance of a fight,” the paper wrote. “'Foreign fever' returned to grip the Indian team as Pattinson, Hilfenhaus and Siddle tormented them — much like the English bowlers had done in England — with a heady cocktail of pace, bounce and movement served with relentless consistency,” said the paper. It was India's fifth successive Test defeat away from home after a 4-0 loss in England. “Mauled in Melbourne” the Hindustan Times said on its front page and “Bat-erred India fall apart” on its sports page.
