Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes Australia captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins will pose the greatest threat to the Indian side in the upcoming four-match Test series, which begins on February 9. Cummins, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, finished the 2020-21 Test series against India with the most wickets.
He will try to build on his previous performance and end Australia’s 19-year drought for a Test series victory in India this year, with the added responsibility of leading the Australian team. The first match of the series will be played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
“If memory serves right, the first time he took a five-wicket haul was in the subcontinent (5/34 on debut vs Sri Lanka in Galle, August 2011). Being the top bowler that Lyon is, he will always be attacking and probing, but the real threat is likely to be the pacers. Cummins is a terrific bowler, and, as we have seen in the past when the Australians are successful, it is their pace attack that has done the damage,” Gavaskar told The Telegraph in an interview.
Both are superb teams and in cricket: Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar believes India will benefit from Josh Hazlewood’s absence in Nagpur. Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc will also miss the first Test, further compounding Australia’s injury woes. Green is still nursing a finger injury.
“When the Australians are successful, it is their pace attack that has done the damage. With Josh Hazlewood likely to miss the first Test with an injury, the advantage could well lie with India,” Gavaskar said.
“Both are superb teams and in cricket, you cannot predict. But, as always, the home side starts with an advantage with the crowd support, awareness of ground, weather and pitch conditions,” Gavaskar said.
Meanwhile, the biggest question mark for the Indian team ahead of the series has been Rohit Sharma’s opening partner. Vice-captain KL Rahul and in-form batter Shubman Gill are India’s options. Suryakumar Yadav’s chances of making the playing XI is another important question.
