Sunil Gavaskar, a renowned batsman, has issued a strong warning to the visitors ahead of the second match at New Delhi after Rohit Sharma and Co. destroyed Pat Cummins’ Australia in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Saturday. At the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, India crushed Australia because of a superb century from seasoned opener Rohit and the valor of Ravindra Jadeja.
Following skipper Cummins’ decision to bat on a turning Nagpur surface after winning the toss, the visiting Australia team lost for 177 in the first innings. The bowler of choice in the first innings was the all-arounder Jadeja (5/47) while the master of spin Ravichandran Ashwin claimed a five-wicket haul in Australia’s second essay. Before Team India, led by Ashwin, bowled out Australia for 91 in 32.3 overs at Nagpur, the Indian captain Rohit smashed a historic century.
Reflecting on India’s clinical performance in the 1st Test, former Indian skipper Gavaskar predicted a 4-0 scoreline of the four-match series between the two top-ranked teams. Speaking to India Today after the conclusion of the 1st Test, Gavaskar opined that Australia is heavily relying on the batting performances of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. “I would predict a 4-0 scoreline. The way Australia lost, they need a great start in the second Test. Either Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne has to score enough runs. If that doesn’t happen, the Indian team will win the series by 4-0,” Gavaskar told India Today.
The top scorer for Australia in the first innings of the visitors was the No. 1 batter in the world Labuschagne’s 49 runs. Former Australian skipper Smith played a calm inning of 37 off 107 balls in Australia’s first essay at Nagpur, and he finished the second innings unbeaten on 25 off 51 balls. Smith’s heroic effort was futile, though, as India won the first Test by innings and 132 runs. For his all-around performance, Indian all-rounder Jadeja was chosen Player of the Match. On February 17, the second Test between India and Australia will take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
