Key Points:
- The absence of Kohli is going to upset India.
- In Australia, there are already complaints about the absence of Virat Kohli from the first Adelaide Test.
- Australia should not forget how strong the Indian bowling attack is.
- Ishant Sharma is making steady improvement, and it is not possible to rule out his addition to the team.
After the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Virat Kohli and his plan departure from Australia became a major talking point well before India’s series kicked off. On the subject, current as well as former cricketers have weighted in with most assuming that the absence of Kohli is going to upset India.
Then others are assured that even without their charismatic captain, India can repeat their feat of two years ago. Australia coach Justin Langer, as well as off-spinner Nathan Lyon, has already said that the trophy will be theirs just because Kohli is not going to be around. Former Pakistani batsman Ramiz Raja has given his take on the matter, saying that while the void of Kohli will be very difficult to fill, Australia should not forget how strong the bowling attack of India is.
Ramiz Raja Cricket Baaz youtube channel:
In Australia, there are already complaints about the absence of Virat Kohli from the first Adelaide Test. I believe India does have the batting line-up to tame Australia as well as the Indian bowling also improved a lot and so now they have a very strong attack, and Australia will have this in mind,” Raja said that on the YouTube channel of Cricket Baaz.
Though India has a Good Bowling line-up:
To disagree with Raja is difficult. The fact that India has a good bowling unit has almost flown under the radar with all the talk surrounding Kohli and his imminent departure to be home with wife Anushka Sharma, who is due to give birth to the couple’s first child.
India has a formidable battery of speed in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Navdeep Saini. Ishant Sharma is making steady improvement, and it is not possible to rule out his addition to the team. Several experts have sponsored India’s bowling assault to take 20 wickets, something they have shown in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Ramiz Raja on Australian Pitches:
Raja feels that Australia is going to try to make pitches that have a bat-ball balance. For the very first time since the Women’s T20 World Up in February earlier this year with international cricket returning to Australia, Raja thinks Australian pitches are likely to act the way they once used to.
In Australia, the pitches are no longer what they used to be several years ago. I say, there’s less bounce, movement sideways, and they’re less venomous. And I suspect, given their requirements, Australia would want to have full five-day tests against India for viewership figures,’ he said.
