‘Australia will win Test series quite easily’: Michael Vaughan believes India captain Virat Kohli’s absence will be the decisive factor | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

‘Australia will win Test series quite easily’: Michael Vaughan believes India captain Virat Kohli’s absence will be the decisive factor

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Byhindustantimes.com
Nov 12, 2020 08:53 AM IST

Ind v Aus: Vaughan feels Australia will emerge victorious quite easily as India captain Virat Kohli won’t be available for the final three Tests.

Now that the IPL is over, the focus is shifting towards international cricket with India set to play their first match after a gap of more than 8 months. The 30-member strong Indian side left for Australia from Dubai Wednesday night to play a full-fledged tour. Ahead of the three T20Is, three ODIs and four-Test series, former England captain Michael Vaughan made a prediction about the outcome of the Test series.

Tim Paine and Virat Kohli during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.(Getty Images)
Tim Paine and Virat Kohli during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.(Getty Images)

Also Read | Team India leaves for Australia from Dubai ‘embracing new normal’ - See photos

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Vaughan said Australia will emerge victorious quite easily as India captain Virat Kohli won’t be available for the final three Tests due to the birth of his first child.

“No @imVkohli [Virat Kohli] for 3 Tests in Australia .. The right decision going to be at the birth of his first child .. but it means Australia will win the series quite easily IMO [in my opinion]”: Vaughan wrote on Twitter.

 

Kohli was granted paternity leave by BCCI to be with his wife Anushka Sharma. The Indian skipper will fly back after playing the limited-overs series and the first Test match in Adelaide which will also mark India’s first pink ball day-night Test on foreign soil.

Also Read | ‘Mumbai Indians would win T20 World Cup’: Michael Vaughan’s hilarious tweet after MI wins fifth IPL title

In Kohli’s absence, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane in all probability will step up to lead the side. But Kohli’s absence is sure to weaken the Indian side against an Australian outfit that has been bolstered with the presence of two of their premier batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith.

Smith and Warner were absent the last time India beat Australia 2-1 in the Test series as they were serving bans for their involvement in ball-tampering. Kohli is not only India’s leader but also their best Test batsman. He was India’s second run-getter behind Cheteshwar Pujara, the last India toured Australia.

India’s Australia tour will begin with the three ODIs starting from November 27. The next two matches are on November 29 and December 2. All the ODIs will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The first T20I will also be played in Canberra on December 4 and the remaining two on December 6 and 8 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The first Test is set to be played under lights from December 17 to 21 at the Adelaide Oval.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, WPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On