Greg Chappell, a former player for Australia and currently the India coach, thinks Australia may win the forthcoming, highly anticipated four-match Test series because India is “susceptible” this time around due to injuries to important players like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. Indian pace ace Bumrah (back injury) is not included in the Indian squad for the first two Tests, while the daring keeper-batter Pant is out for the majority of the year as he continues to heal from injuries received in a terrible automobile accident.
“Australia can win this series. India is more vulnerable at home than they have been for some time due to injuries to key players like Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah. They will rely heavily on Virat Kohli,” Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for ‘Sydney Morning Herald’. Ravindra Jadeja, a top-tier all-round spin bowler who recently returned to action in the Ranji Trophy after overcoming a knee injury, is in the Indian team for the Test series starting on Thursday in Nagpur.
“Visiting teams are often fooled by a game that seems to be going nowhere but suddenly changes at a frenetic pace. The Indians are used to this, so Australia will need to adapt quickly with the mind, bat, and ball,” said the former India coach. Ashton Agar, Australian left-arm finger spinner, should be chosen to join Nathan Lyon on turning wickets, according to Chappell.
“Should the pitches favour spin, which is more likely, I expect Ashton Agar to get the nod because finger spin is considered to be more accurate,” said the 74-year-old Chappell who scored 7110 runs from 87 Tests with an impressive average of 53.86 between 1970 and 1984. Anil Kumble who took 619 wickets in Test cricket, rarely strayed off the straight and narrow. His stock in trade were fast, flat leg breaks which were always threatening the stumps. Batters knew if they missed, they were in trouble. Jadeja’s stock in trade is similarly unerring.”