There is no doubt that the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar series is going to be a fierce battle between ball and bat. The Aussies would be keen to end the long wait of 19 years of winning a Test Series in India. The No.1 side will have to be spot on with their game plan.
Aussies have been on a roll after having a terrific home summer where thrashed West Indies & South Africa. The Pat Cummins side has been quite invincible where they have found a habit of finding match-winners at crucial junctions of the match.
Tests ingeara- an issue?
As the Australians gear up to face their biggest nemesis in the longest format, the visitors along with Steven Smith will also look towards David Warner for a strong foundation at the top. But the former Itheian batter Akash Chopra feels that the opener who has adopted India as his second home outside of the pitch will face a real issue on the 22 yards.
“David Warner is a different phenomenon in white-ball cricket, wherever in the world he might play. I would say you can get him to play on the moon as well, there also he will hit. But when he comes to India and plays Test cricket, suddenly something happens to him, he doesn’t score runs.” he said.
“Why is Test batting so difficult for him in India? Warner’s story is the sort of playing style he has, his front foot doesn’t go forward much and his hands go towards the ball, which is his natural way of playing”.
“As soon as he comes, Ravichandran Ashwin or any other spinner will come and they will ask him to defend. There he gets stuck. He goes with hard hands towards the ball and whoever does that, is not able to do anything.”Aakash Chopra added.
Are the numbers A ‘Warn’ing?
A maestro in white ball cricket, his red ball numbers do no justice to his stature. In his past 10 innings David Warner has failed to contribute to his side apart from the Boxing Day Test double century against South Africa last year.
As the 36-year-old himself admits that beating India in their home is the toughest for the visitors, he averages only 33.76 against India. He has an underwhelming 388 runs at an average of 24. 25 across 16 innings in the country.
Whether Warner proves the numbers wrong or will it a repeat telecast of the past, we will get the witness the thrilling action from 9th February in Nagpur as India goes against Australia for the much-awaited series opener.