India vs Australia: ‘A huge void’ – Sachin Tendulkar speaks on Virat Kohli’s absence for final three Tests


India vs Australia: ‘A huge void’ – Sachin Tendulkar speaks on Virat Kohli’s absence for final three Tests

Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

As the limited overs leg of India’s tour of Australia has concluded, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Test series. With each side having won three matches apiece in the tour so far, the Test series will be the all-important one that will provide teams with much needed bragging rights apart from solidifying each team’s place in the World Test Championship standings. India will play Australia in 4 Tests with the first Test, a pink ball one, starting on December 17.

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The big news from the Indian camp even before the tour began was the fact that skipper Virat Kohli will be unavailable for the final three Tests. Ajinkya Rahane is expected to take over captaincy duties after the first Test. The absence of Kohli, their ace batsman and captain will be a huge blow to India’s hopes of winning Down Under and a lot of talk has revolved around the same.

‘India has bench strength’ – Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

Former Indian cricketer and legend Sachin Tendulkar spoke to AFP in an interview today and spoke about the upcoming Test series and Virat Kohli’s unavailability. “When you lose an experienced player like this (Kohli) there is without any doubt a void. But let’s understand, this is not about individuals. It is about our team and the best part about Indian cricket right now is there is bench strength,said Tendulkar.

Tendulkar was then asked if India’s bowling attack right now is the strongest it has ever had to which the batting maestro said, “Every era should be kept separate, I don’t like comparing. But I can say that it (India) is a complete bowling attack. So it doesn’t matter what kind of surface you are playing on, you have got all sides covered. You have got bowlers who can swing the ball. When it comes to variations and awkwardness, that is also there. Someone hitting the deck hard is also there. We have got a wrist spinner, we have got finger spinners.”

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The first Test will begin on December 17 at the Adelaide Oval.

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