All focus shifts on the upcoming four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy which gets underway on December 17 in Adelaide. Ahead of the series, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has made a bold prediction in favour of Australia against the mighty Indians.
All eyes will be on Team India as they look to replicate their performance from their last tour in 2018-19 where they beat the Aussies for the first time in a Test series Down Under. Indians will have to play out of their skins to go past the host who boasts some of the best in the business.
The first Test holds the key – Michael Vaughan
Speaking on that line, Michael Vaughan believes the first pink-ball Test in Adelaide will set the tone for the series. The former England captain believes if Australia start with a win in Adelaide, India will be all but out of the series with no Virat Kohli in the fray.
“India will have to see off that trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins, they have to nullify that kookaburra new ball. If not, Australia will prove to be too strong and powerful. The pink ball Test is the key to the series.
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If Australia, as they generally do in the Adelaide Day-Night Test, they have never been beaten with the pink ball. If Australia win that Test match and then India lose Virat Kohli for the next three, this could be 4-0 for Australia,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
On the other hand, Australia will miss the service of David Warner, who is ruled out with an injury he suffered during the ODI series. Michael Vaughan feels Warner’s absence can give the visitors some respite but the real test will be for the Indians batters against top-class pace attack.
“David Warner missing the first Test gives India a little bit of hope. There is a little bit of confusion about who will open the batting for Australia in Tests. Will Pucovski has been concussed. But that Smith-Labuschagne combination and Travis Head getting better. Also, I don’t see many batting units that will consistently get big scores in Australia against this Australian attack. That is why 4-0,” Vaughan explained.
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