Former England swashbuckling batsman Kevin Pietersen believes India has a chance of beating Australia if they repeat their Sydney heroics.
The visitors have fought like warriors in the ongoing series despite the injury woes and the absence of their full-time skipper Virat Kohli.
In fact, many of the cricket boffins had predicted that India will be whitewashed by 4-0 after they were bundled out for 36 runs in the second innings at Adelaide. However, the visitors bounced back in style to win the second Test match at the MCG as they came up with a collective effort.
Furthermore, Australia dominated the third Test match at the SCG for the first four days but the visitors fought back on the final day to save the Test match. India have come on top despite the adversities and they will be looking to come up with a complete performance at the Gabba.
However, it is not going to be easy for the tourists as they have been hampered by injuries. Moreover, Brisbane is Australia’s fortress and they haven’t lost a Test match there since 1988. India has never won at the Gabba despite playing six Test matches at the venue.
Pietersen told Betway: ‘Everybody is going to watch the next Test match in Brisbane. The hype around the match is going to be huge. ‘I saw plenty of people predicting 4-0 to Australia at the beginning of the series, particularly with Virat Kohli only playing in the first match, but India have put themselves in a position to secure a famous series win.
Pietersen feels the pressure will be on Australia to win the series as not many gave India a chance to come back into the series after they were skittled out for 36 runs.
‘The best way for India to shut Australia up is to beat them. ‘We did that on a couple of occasions and it’s quite extraordinary how quickly the media turn on their own players when they start to lose. ‘There’s nobody who will feel the pressure more than Tim Paine and a couple of others if India wins. ‘It’s going to be tough because the Gabba wicket is a bouncy track that will suit the Aussies’ pace attack
India have been hampered by injuries and there are question marks on the participation of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are India’s best bowlers. Moreover, Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari are already ruled out of the Test series.
