Michael Vaughan predicts 4-0 hammering for India Down Under

Tags: India tour of Australia, 2020-21, India, Australia, England, Michael Paul Vaughan

Published on: Dec 12, 2020

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has stated that India will need to do well in the first Test against Australia at Adelaide, which will be a Day-Night encounter, to have a successful Test series Down Under. The Adelaide Test will be India’s maiden pink-ball Test in Australia, and second overall.

India registered a historic 2-1 series win in Australia last time. However, Vaughan feels that things will be rather tough for India this time round. “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. They were just too good for the Aussies.

“The main reason I believe they were too good was that there was no Smith, no Warner, no Labuschagne. The Australians are now a better Test match team. They held on to the Ashes in England. Tim Paine is improving as a Test-match captain,” Vaughan was quoted as telling Cricbuzz.

Australia have an unbeaten record in Day-Night Tests at Adelaide. They have played four and won four. According to Vaughan, if India lose the first Test, they are likely to be blanked 4-0, particularly since Virat Kohli won’t be available for the last three Tests.

“India will have to see off that trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins, they have to nullify that 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,” added Vaughan.

Vaughan admitted that David Warner’s absence will help India, but the Aussies still hold the edge.

“David Warner missing the first Test gives India a little bit of hope. There is a little bit of confusion about who will open the batting for Australia in Tests. Will Pucovski has been concussed. But that Smith-Labuschagne combination and Travis Head getting better. Also, I don’t see many batting units that will consistently get big scores in Australia against this Australian attack. That is why 4-0,” Vaughan explained his stance.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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