New Delhi: India’s vulnerability shouldn’t lead to Australia underestimating them in the impending Border-Gavaskar series, says Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia host India in a five-match series that could determine who among the two teams could qualify for the World Test Championship final.
With crucial WTC points on the line, the battle among the top two ranked teams that begins in Perth on November 22 is expected to be intense.
India have been beaten 0-3 by New Zealand, their first home series loss in 12 years after 18 consecutive wins. It has made them look vulnerable despite them winning last two series in Australia and for successive BGT series victories.
To compound matters for India, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are set to miss the first match.
“It’s really hard to judge; they played on completely different conditions, spinning conditions. But, I mean, having India come here on the back of a loss at home, that’s something that has never happened before,” Labuschagne said, as quoted by indiatoday.in.
“So, I think that’s a good thing because they are probably a little bit lower on confidence, not coming off a Test victory, losing to New Zealand 0-3. That’s going to do a little bit of damage to their confidence.”
But Australia’s No.3 batter Labuschagne said despite their slump, India remain a quality side and shouldn’t be taken lightly, being the only team to have won a Test series in Australia in recent times.
“At the end of the day, they are a quality line-up, they are one of the best teams in the world. You can never underestimate a team like that,” he added.
Smith comfortable at No.4
Australia too will be without all-rounder Cameron Green, who is out of the entire series with an injury. Their top batter Steve Smith will return to his preferred batting position of No.4.
Smith batted as an opener after David Warner’s retirement with mixed results and will be back at the position where he has scored the bulk of his runs.
“He is Australia’s most successful player. His most successful position has been No. 4. So, to have him back in a position where he is comfortable and where he has scored a lot of his Test runs in a big series.
“He understands the place and the situation of the game better. Over his career, being able to evade, when they do go to bouncer plan helps,” Labuschagne said.
Labuschagne said despite their slump, India remain a quality side and shouldn’t be underestimated Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
