India vs Australia: “If India lose the first Test, it could be 4-0 for Australia,” says Michael Vaughan

India vs Australia: “If India lose the first Test, it could be 4-0 for Australia,” says Michael Vaughan
India celebrate a wicket during the 2018-19 series

Now that the limited-overs leg of India’s tour of Australia is over, the entire focus shifts to the 4-match Test series which is set to begin on December 17 with a pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. The Test would be the perfect setting to bring the tour well and truly alive after an evenly-match but hotly contested ODI and T20I series.

Both India and Australia have won three matches apiece in the tour and the Test series will be the one deciding who walks away happier. Australia will start as favorites despite the fact that they lost the previous Test series against India in 2018-19. But the return of Steve Smith and David Warner (who will miss the first Test) and their fiery bowling attack will mean the Indians will have a lot to deal with.

India have already been dealt a huge blow after it was announced that skipper and batting ace Virat Kohli will leave the tour after the first Test for the birth of his first child. In the absence of their star batter, the Indian team led by Ajinkya Rahane will have their tasks cut out.

‘The Australians are now a better team’ – Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan

Evaluating India’s chances of winning the tour, former England captain Michael Vaughan talked to Cricbuzz and said, “India two years ago were too strong for Australia in Australian conditions. They were terrific. The bowling attack of Bumrah, Shami, Ishant and Ashwin, the Wall Pujara, he was the rock in the Indian batting lineup and was too good for the Aussies.”

The former batsman then spoke of the return of David Warner and Steve Smith saying, “The main reason why I believe they were too good was that there was no Smith, no Warner, no Labuschagne. The Australians are now a better team. They held on to the Ashes in England. Tim Paine is improving as a Test-match captain.”

Vaughan further spoke of Australia’s potent bowling attack. “India will have to see off that trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins, they have to nullify the kookaburra new ball. If not Australia will prove to be too strong and powerful. The pink ball Test is the key to the series. If Australia, as they generally do in the Adelaide Day-Night Test, they have never been beaten with the pink ball. If Australia win that Test match and then India lose Virat Kohli for the next three, this could be 4-0 for Australia,” he added.

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