The rivalry between India and Australia has grown tremendously in the last decade or so. Both have been formidable squads at home but struggled overseas for a long time now. However, on this turn, the situation is completely different, because even as the series is to be played in Australia, the hosts, some might say, are in complete disarray, as two of its premier players, David Warner and the otherwise skipper Steve Smith, and one new-comer, Cameron Bancroft, are serving their one-year ban and 9-month ban respectively, that started in March, earlier this year.
On the other hand, the Indian team has a well-balanced squad under the leadership of Virat Kohli, as usual, is in tremendous form with the bat. This has led some experts to conclude that the Indian team will thrash the Ausralian team down under. However, the former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag reckons that this Aussies have it in them to give a tough time to India even without Smith and Warner.
During an exclusive chat on NDTV, Sehwag said, “Doesn’t matter if they (Australia) don’t have good players like Steve Smith and David Warner. They are playing in their own backyard.”
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He further added,“These players who are coming and playing in Test cricket have already played first-class cricket there. They’ve scored a number of runs. They don’t have much experience if you talk about international matches but they will give a good fight to the Indian team.”
Sehwag was also in favour of Team India said that Kohli’s men are capable of winning a Test series anywhere in the world. He explained, “I’ve been saying this for last one year they can win Test series in Australia, England and South Africa. They have to play really well. If they match first innings total with Australia and England, they have a chance to beat them.”
The 40-year-old cricketer also shared his views on the young prodigy Prithvi Shaw and said that Shaw should definitely open the batting for India. He said, “(Shaw) is going to play in Australia as an opener because in last two Test matches we’ve seen the way he played. He is a key batsman for me because in Australia you need someone who can play some attacking cricket. If KL Rahul gives him company and they both come good then Australia will have a bad time.”
