Steve Vaugh picks his favourite for upcoming India-Australia test, India has no flaw says
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has picked a full-strength Tim Paine’s side to start as favourites when they take on Virat Kohli’s India in a series of 4 Tests later this year Down Under.
As India prepare for the upcoming 2-Test series vs New Zealand, Virat Kohli’s team will have their eyes set on the World Test Championship final which will be played at Lord’s next summer. But to qualify for the final, India will need to not only prevail against the Kiwis but also come up with some spirited performance vs Australia in their own backyard later this year.
The 4-Test series scheduled right after the T20 World Cup is expected to be a tightly-contested one. While India won the last encounter Down Under 2-1, this time around, the hosts will be boosted by the returns of star duo Steve Smith and David Warner whose absence cost them dear the last time India visited these shores. That’s why former Australia captain Steve Waugh has tipped Tim Paine’s team as favourites to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Australia will be the favourite I think. We know the pitches well and the day-night Test is going to be something relatively new for India. I like the way Virat Kohli is taking that challenge. If you want to be the best side in the world, you have to win away from home as much as possible,” Waugh told PTI.
“You can’t take away from India winning last time but Australia did not have the best batsmen. Marnus Labuschagne has come out of nowhere, the bowling looks much settled now. India do not have weaknesses too, so it’s potentially to be a great series, he added.
Earlier on Sunday, during the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) second Apex Council meeting, it was agreed to play one Day-Night Test in Australia during the upcoming tour in December-January later this year.
“Day-night Test will happen and we will make a public announcement-the second Test against England next year. Yes, against Australia also,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly told reporters after the Apex Council meeting.
