India will compete against Australia in the first Test of the three-match series slated on February 9, Thursday at Nagpur. The Rohit Sharma-led team are giving it their all in the nets to clinch the series and retain the trophy for the third consecutive time, while the Pat Cummins-led side are leaving no stone unturned to prepare for the rank turners.
That being said, the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar opened up on India’s biggest threat that they should be wary of during the clash against the Baggy Greens. Further, Gavaskar highlighted the strength of the Australian pace attack and said that the Indian team must be careful about their skipper Cummins who could do a lot of damage with the ball.
The former Indian cricketer opened up on the early favourites to clinch the series and safely opted out of commenting on the same. However, Gavaskar sided partially with India as he claimed that the home team start with an added advantage due to favourable conditions, well-known stadiums and surfaces to suit their strength.
The advantage could well lie with India: Sunil Gavaskar
Further, Gavaskar elaborated that with Josh Hazlewood missing out on the first Test due to injury, it might be the Indian team who would taste the victory. It remains to be seen if the Baggy Greens would bank on their pace attack or rope in more spinners for the clash against India as they expect the pitch to turn from Day 1.
“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 was quoted as saying to The Telegraph.
“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. 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,” he added.
