Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra feels Australia doesn’t have a bright chance of winning the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. Australia last won a Test series in India back in 2004 when Adam Gilchrist led them to a 2-1 win.
Since then, Australia has managed to win a solitary Test match in Indian conditions. Furthermore, India had beaten Australia on their last two trips Downunder. It is well known that India is a force to reckon with in its own conditions and Australia will have its work cut out in difficult conditions.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “If we talk about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we are winning continuously. We have won the last three times. We have gone to their home and defeated them twice. People are saying that they have a chance to win but I think they don’t. I don’t think they have such bright chances.”
Chopra feels Australia’s batting is strong but in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, they don’t have enough firepower in their bowling to pick up 20 wickets.
“If you listen to the Australian media or former cricketers, it seems it is an even contest, that Australia will beat India and that they are an amazing team. I feel batting is okay but who will bowl? Who will pick up 20 wickets in bowling?”
The renowned commentator feels apart from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, the visitors don’t have the might in their bowling line-up.
“I don’t see might in the bowling apart from Pat Cummins and Lyon, that’s my personal opinion. Ashton Agar and Swepson are there, Boland might also play, but that much might is not there. Neither Starc nor Hazlewood is available. I think Cameron Green is also not available for the first match.”
Chopra added Australia would have been in a better position if they had picked Adam Zampa in the squad. Apart from Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Swepson, and Ashton Agar are the other three spinners in Australia’s 18-man squad.
“Then the bowling becomes extremely weak. You don’t have too many bowling options. I feel there might have been a little more difference if they had brought Zampa, but Ashton Agar and Swepson – they can run through the Indian team only if you give them a rank turner.”
The first Test begins in Nagpur on Thursday.
