Former Aussie legendary pace bowler Glenn Mcgrath said that the absence of Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the final three Test matches will add a lot of pressure on India’s number three Cheteshwar Pujara. McGrath predicted a tough series for him saying that the absence of Kohli and not having played cricket for so long will make it difficult for Pujara in the upcoming tour. The tour starts with the limited-overs leg from November 27. The four-match Test series starts from December 17.
Meanwhile, in a media gathering back in Australia, Glenn Mcgrath spoke on the much-awaited series. He said India is dearly going to miss Virat Kohli after the first test. They will miss Kohli the batsman and the captain.
“It will impact the series. The player of his quality and class, for India to lose him in three out of four Tests is a big blow,” he said. “It will be for the other players to step up. I can totally understand him wanting to go back for his first child’s birth,” McGrath said in a select media interaction.
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Tough Series For Cheteshwar Pujara- Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath further said that Kohli’s aggressive captaincy was one of the big reasons why India won in the 2019-20 season. Though Kohli failed with the bat, Pujara shone scoring 521 runs in four matches, averaging 74.42. However, this time around Pujara will find it tough to score runs predicts the former pacer.
“The fact that he hasn’t spent time in the middle, hasn’t had lot of long batting time, is going to have a big impact. He will probably have to work harder this series than the last one as he hasn’t played any cricket” McGrath said on Pujara.
India’s no three did not play in the IPL and is out from competitive cricket for a long time. Cheteshwar Pujara last played in the Ranji Trophy final last year against Bengal.
The Aussie legend concluded by saying that the first Test will be an interesting contest. It being an evening game, the bowlers will get assistance in the evening with the sun setting. Batsmen will need to rely on timing to score runs.
“That first Test is going to be interesting. That is a day-night Test. India haven’t played a day-night Test in Australia. At night, with the sun setting, it will probably start favouring the fast bowlers. It will be about timing when you are bowling or batting” concluded McGrath.
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