Aussies would be keen to avoid a hat-trick of Test series defeats against India in their back-yard. Australia lost 2018-19 & 2020-21 Test series both by margins of 2-1 where they couldn’t grab key moments. Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin was a member of 2011-12 & 2014-15 triumphs against India and had played a key role in that.
Opening the batting in Perth is hard work- Brad Haddin
Former Australia Cricketer Brad Haddin warned the Indian batters ahead of the all-important Border Gavaskar Trophy. Haddin believes the Indian batters will struggle against the Aussie seamers on pace-friendly pitches. The former wicket-keeper batter particularly pointed out the Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal due to his inexperience playing in Australia.
Brad Haddin a regular on the LiSTNR podcast, shared his thoughts on the exciting five-match Test series, Haddin said,
“I don’t think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks. I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn’t come out and seen Australia before, so I’m not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work.”
Jaiswal is India’s leading run-getter in this World Test Championship(WTC) cycle. The elegant left-hander scored 1407 runs in 26 innings, with two double tons. The Southpaw is a key part of the Indian setup and needs to fire big as Team India aims for Hattrcik of test series wins in Australia.
The top order will get knocked over– Aaron Finch agrees with Brad Haddin
Former Australian Skipper Aaron Finch also shared similar sentiments about the Indian batters. Finch said in the same podcast,
“At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order,”
Finch further explained the importance of both teams’ wicketkeepers Rishab Pant and Alex Carey in the test series. He stated,
“I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant. The two wicketkeepers are going to be so important. For me, it’s that really crucial role of Alex at No. 7 and Rishabh at 6 likely. Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive. The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important,”
Rishab Pant scored 274 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 68.50, with two half-centuries in the BGT 2020-21 in Australia. The left-hander was vital in India’s victory with important knocks on the final day of the last two tests. Pant scored 422 runs in five tests since making his comeback earlier this year and will be looking to continue with this form. Meanwhile, Alex Carey scored 576 runs in 20 innings at an average of 32 at home.