As India prepares for the pink ball challenge, former England captain Michael Vaughan has opined that the first test in Adelaide will be the key for tourists for the rest of the series. India will play its second day and night test match against the Australians, who hold a 100 percent record in this format.
India beat Australia 2-1 in the Test series on their previous tour in 2018-19. They became the Asian country to win a test series in Australia. Vaughan recalled how the Indian rhythm drums along with Cheteshwar Pujara wreaked havoc on Australians. But he also mentioned that the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner favored India.
“India two years ago was too strong for Australia in Australian conditions. They were fabulous. Bumrah, Shami, Ishant and Ashwin’s bowling attack, the Wall Pujara, was the stone in India’s batting lineup. They were too good for Australians. The main reason I think they were too good was that Smith, Warner and Labuschagne did not exist. The Australians are now a better Test Match team. They clung to the ashes in England. Tim Paine is improving as a Test Match captain, ”Vaughan told Cricbuzz.
READ ALSO | India vs Australia: ‘None of them are going to fight now’ – Kaif feels that only one Australian cricketer will engage in verbal duels with India in the test series
India played its first and only pink ball game against Bangladesh in 2019, which it won by one inning and 46 runs. While Australia has played 7 tests day and night and has won them all. Lack of experience could be the biggest challenge for visitors to Adelaide.
Vaughan suggested that if India loses the first game then there will be no return for them as Virat Kohli will not be available in the last three games. Australia will win 4-0, he suggested.
“India will have to fire that trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins, they have to nullify that new kookaburra ball. If not, Australia will prove too strong and powerful. The pink ball test is the key to the series. Yes Australia, as they usually do in the Adelaide Day-Night Test, has never been defeated with the pink ball. If Australia wins that test match and then India loses Virat Kohli in the next three, this could be 4-0 for Australia, ”Vaughan said.
READ ALSO | 2nd warm-up game: Vihari, Pant tons give Indians a 472 run lead over Australia A
Vaughan noted that the absence of David Warner could help India to some extent. But there are bigger challenges to face.
“The absence of David Warner in the first test gives India a bit of hope. There’s a bit of confusion over who will lead Australia’s batting in tryouts. Will Pucovski has suffered a concussion. But that Smith-Labuschagne and Travis Head combination getting better. Also, I don’t see many batting units consistently scoring great in Australia against this Australian attack. So 4-0, ”added Vaughan.
.
