India vs Australia: ‘He’ll come back into our team when he gets that back’ – Justin Langer drops update on David Warner’s return

After a disastrous start to the Border Gavaskar Trophy, India faced yet another setback with the series on the line. Pacer Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the Test series with a fracture in the arm. Shami was hit in the arm by a Pat Cummins bouncer in Adelaide and scans revealed a fracture. With Virat Kohli back home for the birth of his first child, India are up for a steep challenge. With 1-0 down in the series and without two of their top players in the format, the visitors are in for a real challenge as they look to retain the trophy.

Australia coach Justin Langer admits that it is a great advantage for his side. But adds that it doesn’t change the fact that they are up against a quality side. Langer shares that although the blow weakens India, they will work hard and stick to the processes.

“Of course. I mean, it doesn’t matter whatever sport you play, if you take you two of your stars out (it will affect the team). Virat Kohli is one of the all-time great players. I think Shami is a real glue for the Indian bowling attack because, you know, he’s so miserly, ge’s very, very skillful. Of course, it gives us an advantage, but we just know we’ve got to keep working hard. And all the processes that we’ve been talking about for some time, we know we’ve got to start strongly on day one,” Langer said during a virtual press conference.

“We are going to keep the pressure on Rahane if he’s the new captain of India for these next few Test matches. So this test our processes don’t change. But whenever you take the best players out of any cricket team, then, of course, it weakens them. That’s just reality. So, yeah, that gives us an advantage.“

He batted really well yesterday in the nets

Opener David Warner is yet to feature in the Test series. He was earlier ruled out of the second Test as he nurses the groin strain he picked up in the ODI series. While Joe Burns has regained his form, Langer is eager to welcome the southpaw back into the side. The Aussie coach shared that he has been batting well in the nets. But it is his running which needs to be worked upon before he returns.

“Well, yeah, we’re very hopeful. He batted really well yesterday in the nets. He’s moving well, as enthusiastic as ever. I mean, he’s got so much energy and passion for the game. And the last three weeks or so, he’ll be doing everything possible to get back out into the onto the ground. So fingers crossed, he’s starting a bit of trouble running at full speed. When he gets that back and feels confident with it, of course, he’ll come back into our team.“

“So we just monitor him regularly and just fingers crossed he’ll be back. It’s not just for our team, but I think everyone loves watching him play cricket. So it’s great for the theatre and the performance, the entertainment of Test cricket. So we welcome him back as soon as he’s fit and ready to go,” Langer signs off.

Both the teams are set to lock horn in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. While Australia have confirmed an unchanged XI, Ajinkya Rahane led India made four changes to their side for the crucial clash.

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