Smith return ‘big headache’ for India, avers Maxwell
Border predicts a 2-1 Test series Aussie win, courtesy their quality bowling, boosted bating line-up and the ‘bubble’ factor fatigue away from home. The biggest factor though would be Kohli’s absence, Border added
Former Australian skipper Allan Border avers India captain Virat Kohli’s decision to take paternity leave is tantamount to a big ‘out’ for India, giving as it does, Australia a key advantage in the upcoming Test series.
“He is irreplaceable at the moment as a batsman and as a leader,” Border told The Times of India newspaper.
Kohli will leave the tour ater the first of four Tests, due to start in Adelaide on Dec.17, for the birth of his first child with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
India are also scheduled to play three oneday internationals and three Twenty20 matches before the Border-gavaskar Trophy Test series.
Kohli led India to their first Test series win in Australia on their last tour in 2018-19. But the home side were without bating stars Steve Smith and David Warner, who were serving one-year bans for ball-tampering.
Border said he was “very confident” of Australia’s chances this time around, predicting a 2-1 win thanks to their quality bowling atack and bating line-up strengthened by Smith and Warner.
He said India could also struggle with the mental fatigue of spending weeks in “bubble” conditions so far from home. But he said the biggest factor would be Kohli’s absence.
“I love the way he plays his game -- he wears his heart on his sleeve,” Border said. “I like his aggression and passion for the game. India as a team will miss that.”
‘SMITH’S RETURN BIG PLUS FOR OZ’: Meanwhile, Australia batsman Glenn Maxwell feels Steve Smith’s return is a big plus for Australia and a “big headache” for Team India.
Smith, along with Warner, was not part of the 2018-19 series against India when Virat Kohli’s men won the Test and the ODI series Down Under. The three-match T20I series was tied 1-1 as one of the matches was washed out.
However, both Smith and Warner are part of all the three squads which will take on India in the much-anticipated fixtures beginning November 27. Smith was not part of Australia’s last ODI series in England because of the concussion he suffered during a net session.
“To have someone like Steve Smith coming back to our side, it is going to be a big plus for us, a big headache for India. Smith has always scored runs against them,” Maxwell said.
While Australia are slated to have both their star performers for all 10 matches against India, the visitors will be without their star opener Rohit Sharma in the limited-overs leg of the tour.
Rohit is recuperating from a hamstring injury sustained during the Indian Premier League and is slated to join the Indian team for the Test series. In his absence, KL Rahul will serve as Virat Kohli’s deputy in the three ODIS and three T20IS.
Maxwell feels Rohit’s absence is a big “positive” for the hosts. “He (Rohit) is a class performer, so consistent as an opening batsman with a couple of (three) double hundreds. So anytime he is not in the line-up against you, it is a positive,” Maxwell said.
However, he also says that Rahul is as good a back-up as any team can wish for.
In Rohit’s absence, it is likely that Mayank Agarwal will open the innings alongside Shikhar Dhawan while Rahul, who will also be performing the wicket-keeping duties, is expected to bat middle-order.
Maxwell believes Mohammed Shami’s skills as both a “new ball and old ball” bowler will be a key for India. “A guy like Mohammed Shami, whom I have played with in the recent IPL and played with him in Delhi, as well. (I) saw the skill that he has.
“He has got good skills at the end ( death overs) as well as with the new ball. His ability to get moving on pitches will be a key to them,” said Maxwell.