IND vs AUS: Not bowling to Virat Kohli in Last 3 Tests Huge Boost For Australia – Sunil Gavaskar
Former cricketing greats Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar have reckoned that hosts Australia will be the favourites in the last three matches because of the departure of India captain Virat Kohli after Adelaide Test.
The cricket legends Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar have opened up on the absence of Virat Kohli in the last three Tests of the 4-Match series against the host Australia. While Border feels that Australia will naturally become favourites after the departure of India captain, Gavaskar has pointed out that not bowling to someone like Virat Kohli will be a ‘huge boost’ for the hosts.
The Indian skipper Virat Kohli will miss the last three Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series as he will fly back to India to be with his wife Anushka Sharma, who is going to give birth to their first child in January. He will play the first Test, which is going to start from December 17 in Adelaide.
“I agree, there will be a huge gap in that line-up — just his (Kohli’s) presence around that team and out on the field. I think the Aussies will really enjoy that they don’t have to bowl to him for three of the Test matches.
“So he will want to hit the ground running at Adelaide and try and get India off to a flying start and see what happens from there,” he said.
“It’s hard to replace anyone like him. So we have to wait and see the impact it has but surely the Aussies will be favourites for the games where he is not playing. That is for sure,” Allan Border said ahead of the 4-match Test series which will kick start from December 17.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar echoed the sentiments of Border, saying that Kohli’s absence will surely be a plus point for the Tim Paine’s side.
“I think it is a huge boost for the Australians, a man who has six hundred in 12 Tests in Australia. It is a huge boost for Australians not to be bowling to Kohli in the last the three Tests,” he said.
“…(But) somebody or the other from the Indian ranks lift themselves up to make up for his absence.
“… And therefore like I said that though it is going to be a huge boost for the Australians, for the Indians it will be a great incentive to lift their game up, for everybody to give that extra to make up for his absence,” Gavaskar stated.
Allan Border Huge Fan of Jasprit Bumrah
Former Australia captain Allan Border further heaped praises on Jasprit Bumrah and called himself a ‘huge fan’ of him. He also showed concerned for the bowler, saying that a fit ‘Jasprit Bumrah’ will be a key to India’s success.
“Well, I am a huge fan of Bumrah. If he keeps himself fit. We are talking of a guy who can win games for you fellows. I worry about him because on our pitches you get a little bit of bounce and sideways movement,” said Border.
“For India to win, I am worried about Bumrah. If he fires up like he did last time, gets important wickets, ruffles a few feathers with the ball, I reckon he could be the real difference.
“You always think that your batting line-up will get enough runs, you need the 20 wickets to win the Test. If he stays fit, he is the one who is going to be a key.
“He (Bumrah) is a ripper. Just the way he plays his cricket always has a smile on his face. Lethal when he gets his rhythm going,” Allan Border said.
