‘We hate Virat Kohli; We admire his batting, ”says Australian Test captain Tim Payne

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‘We hate Virat Kohli; We admire his batting, ”says Australian Test captain Tim Payne

Australian Test captain Tim Payne has said he hates India captain Virat Kohli and enjoys his batting.

Sydney,

The Indian cricket team led by Virat Kohli has left for Australia to play in a series consisting of 3 ODIs, 3 T20 overs, and 4 Test Matches. The first ODI between India and Australia will be played in Sydney on the 27th. The first Test between the two teams starts in Adelaide on the 17th of next month.

The Indian players, who are staying at the Star Hotel in Sydney, have been isolated for 14 days. The first phase of the corona test revealed that none of the Indian players were affected. Subsequently, they have started training in the specific area allotted to them. During the net training yesterday, Tamil Nadu fast bowler D. Natarajan bowled aggressively. The Cricket Board has posted a video of his training on Twitter.

Image
Image @viratkohli / Twitter – Virat Kohli

Interview with Tim Payne

Meanwhile, Australian Test captain Tim Payne has given an interesting interview about the series and India captain Kohli. Tim Payne said: –

They ask a lot of questions about Virat Kohli. To me, he’s just another player. Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about him. Truth be told I have no friendship with him. I see him when he throws the ‘toss’. After that, I play against him. That’s it. One funny thing about Virat Kohli is that we like to hate him. At the same time, we as cricket fans want to see his batting. We (the Australian people) have two kinds of thoughts like this. Although they likes to watch his batting, they does not like to see more runs scored.

The India-Australia series will be full of aggression and excitement. Virat Kohli is a player who can be a tough challenge. So am I. Sometimes we are both engaged in a war of words. It doesn’t happen just because he is the captain and I am the captain. This would have happened even if he had been a player.

There will be tension

There will be little tension when playing against the best player in the world like Virat Kohli. The struggle is intense in every way to bring him down. There will be similar tension when England’s Joe Root and Ben Stokes stand on the field.

I look forward to it as it is the biggest series. The last time the Indian team defeated us here (Australia) in a Test series. But the Australian team at the time was different. At any given time, you can only test your full potential when playing against the best team. We are eager to make it a hero and a team. said Tim Payne.

Australia vs India: Kane Richardson withdraws from limited over series against India

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Australia vs India: Kane Richardson withdraws from limited over series against India

Australia vs India: Kane Richardson withdraws from limited over series against India. The Australian pacer pulled his name back from the limited over series with India. Australia vs India: Kane Richardson withdraws from limited over series against India.

Australia vs India: Kane Richardson has withdrawn his name from the limited over series against India. Cricket Australia informed the reporters on Wednesday, Richardson wants to spend time with his wife and newborn son. The Australian Cricket Board names Andrew Tye as his replacement for the upcoming ODI series.

National Selector on Kane Richardson:

“It was a difficult call for Kane Richardson to pull out which has the complete support of selectors and the entire playing squad,” said national selector Travis Hohns.

“Richardson wanted to spend time with his wife Nyki and new Born son. We will always back our players and their families; even more so given the challenging environment we are in,” Hohns added.

“We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision.

“Tye is really skilled to be a part of the squad. He impressed in England with his high work ethic and positive energy around the squad”, Hohns added.

 Australia and India will play three ODIs, 3 Twenty20 games, and 4 Tests starting from 27th November. The recent Coronavirus outbreak in South Australia has disturbed the conditions for the playing. 

The first test has become more complicated due to the fresh covid outbreak in South Australia which will host the 1st Test between Australia and India from December 17.

ALSO READ: India vs Australia full schedules, Teams and Venues.

All the players for the test squad from South Australia have been airlifted, to keep the conditions intact for the first historic day and night test. Three extra players are also added to the training group due to the COVID outbreak in Adelaide.

Along with Andrew Tye, Joshua Phillippe, who has quarantined himself after he returns from the Indian Premier League in Sydney, and D’Arcy Short will also train with the Group ahead of joining Big Bash League.

Australian Squad for T20I and ODIs: 

Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (VC), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Sams, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB
ALSO READ: India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot

Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB

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Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB

Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra takes a dig at Aaron Finch’s performances in IPL 2020. Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB.

After a lot of bid war between the franchises to win Aaron Finch in the Indian Premier League 2020 auction, RCB finally added Australian Opener to the squad. The idea of the inclusion of Aaron Finch to the side was to reduce the pressure off Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. However, this does not turn out true for RCB and fans.

Aaron Finch in Indian Premier League 2020 made 12 appearances for RCB in which he managed to score just 268 runs with an ordinary average of 22.33. The Australian opener and limited over skipper had a forgettable season with just one fifty scores in 12 games. He was later dropped from the playing eleven giving way to Joshua Phillippe but that also did not turn out gold for Virat and Co.

The cricketer turned commentator, Aakash Chopra in his recent videos says, Aaron Finch is the biggest disappointment for RCB. Virat and Co. bought him to add more firepower to the top order and release extra pressure off Virat and AB.

Aakash Chopra: Aaron Finch is biggest Disappointment:

“Imagine, Aaron Finch, scoring big for RCB from one end while Devdutt showing his class at the other. You need a Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, or even Mayank Agarwal like performance from him”, Aakash Chopra in his video.

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra best Team of IPL 2020

Aaron Finch RCB (Royal Challenger Bangalore)
Aaron Finch RCB (Royal Challenger Bangalore) | Image – BCCI/IPL

“Aaron Finch was the biggest disappointment for RCB this season. They put huge 4.4 Crores on him, that’s a huge stake. You expect the Finch hitting from him,” former Cricketer.

“He got a whole lot of chances to bat. He was given enough chances to prove his worth, no one can say he was not given chances. You can probably say that for Moeen Ali, that he was in and out of the team but Aaron Finch played all the matches, I mean he played 10-12 matches at the start,” Aakash Chopra.

“But the form was not seen at all. Neither the form was seen nor the runs. He was even dropped at the end and then brought back again because Joshua Philippe did not do a great job either,” the former India opener further said.

“But that did not happen with this team. And the main reason for that was the big-stake player who was played, that is Aaron Finch and from RCB’s perspective he was a bit of a disappointment,” Chopra concluded.

ALSO READ: India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021

India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot

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India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot

India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot. Australian wicketkeeper Batsman hopes to regain his position in T20I. India vs Australia: Alex Carey hoping to regain T20I Spot.

The Australian Wicket Keeper Batsman, Alex Carey said, he is hoping to get his T20I position back in Australia vs India T20I series. Alex Carey told, he has worked on his technical part under Ricky Pointing back in IPL 2020.

The Wicket Keeper Batsman had the fortune to work under the former World Cup-winning skipper of Australia, Ricky Pointing in Delhi Capitals camp.

“It was my first IPL season and to have Ricky as head coach for Delhi Capitals and few more familiar faces in the camp made it a very enjoyable season of IPL,” Alex Carey to reporters during Video Conferencing.

The Australian batsman was dropped from the playing eleven in the last T20I against England in September, due to inconsistent form. In IPL he just played three games scoring 32 runs.

Alex Carey scored his maiden ODI century against England, clinching an ODI win over England. But in the preceding T20I series, he was dropped from the playing eleven making the way for Mathew Wade. In the two T20I against England, the wicketkeeper-batsman scored just 3 runs.

Carey did not have a memorable T20I season against South Africa too, scoring 7, 14, and 27 in three T20Is. 

Now, India and Australia will play three T20Is after the ODIs starting on 27th November. Alex Carey hoping to make his comeback after working on his techniques and skills.

Read Now – India vs Australia full Schedule and Squads.

Alex Carey on his Comeback:

“I was lucky enough to work with him in the World Cup last year and formed a good relationship. He was an amazing player and is an amazing coach, and he picks up on little things really quickly,” Carey to the reporters.

“We have a lot to talk about, however, I didn’t play many games but that gave me more time to train myself and correct my technical part with Ricky. I had worked a lot on my skills in IPL which will help me grow and develop and have a successful summer.”

If it’s a lower-order role or back up the top of the order, I’m doing everything I can to get back into that team and it’s something I want to do.

“Since then I felt like I finished off that UK tour really strongly and took a lot out of the IPL working with (Ponting).”

“Coming up against England recently and India soon, we’re playing the best in the world so it’s a great indicator of where our T20 cricket is at.”

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021

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Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021

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Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021

Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021. Former Batsman feels CSK should release MS Dhoni for IPL 2021.Aakash Chopra: CSK should not retain MS Dhoni for IPL 2021.

Indian Premier League 2020 is the worst ever season for the Chennai Super Kings and Management. CSK for the first time in the history of IPL failed to reach the playoffs in 2020. With the disappointment of not reaching the playoffs, Chennai players are not on the right path with the touch.

Skipper MS Dhoni returned to the Cricket field after almost a year hoping to do the usual work for CSK. But he failed to reach even a half-century mark in 14 games. However, CSK players failed to score runs in the middle in absence of the veteran Suresh Raina.

The Coach and skipper himself confessed that team definitely to change the core. Most of the players from Chennai Super Kings are over 30 years and Shane Watson retiring from all forms of Cricket is a major setback. CSK needs a mega auction ahead of IPL 2021 to get some players to strengthen their core for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

The former batsman and present cricket commentator, Aakash Chopra feels, CSK should not retain MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2021. Aakash Chopra in his Facebook video said that retaining MS Dhoni for 15 crores will not be a wise option to choose.

Aakash Chopra on retaining MS Dhoni:

“I think CSK should release MS Dhoni going into the mega auction, if there is a mega auction then you will be with that player for three years. But will Dhoni stay with you for three years? I am not saying don’t keep Dhoni, he will play the next IPL, but if you keep him as a retained player but you will have to pay Rs 15 crore,” said Chopra in a video posted on his Facebook account.

Retaining MS Dhoni will cost them 15 crores and it is not sure that MS will play for all three years. The Ranchi based cricketer has turned 39 and is in the last phase of his cricketing career. Chopra stated that CSK should use the money on getting some good players into the squad while getting MS Dhoni with the Right To Match card in the Mega Auction.

“If Dhoni does not stay with you for three years and he plays just the 2021 season, you will get the Rs 15 crore back for the 2022 edition, but how will you find a player worth that Rs 15 crore? That’s the advantage of a mega auction, you can create a big team if you have the money. If you release Dhoni for the mega auction, you can pick him with the right to match card and you can pick the right players by having the desired money in your kitty. You can pick Dhoni in the auction, from CSK point of view, if they release Dhoni and then pick him up in auction, it would be beneficial for them,” Chopra explained.

ALSO READ: MPL Sports to sponsor Team India official Kits for three years
ALSO READ: India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India

MPL Sports to sponsor Team India official Kits for three years

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MPL Sports to sponsor Team India official Kits for three years

MPL Sports to sponsor Team India official Kits for three years. The Mobile Premier League signed the deal with BCCI. MPL Sports to sponsor Team India official Kits for three years.

Mobile Premier League Sports will sponsor Team India’s official kit for the next three years. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced the strategic partnership between the two on Tuesday 17th November. MPL will design apparel and accessories for the Indian National team, Men and Women as well as the U19 Team.

The deal with the Mobile Premier League was cleared by the BCCI apex council on 2nd November for three years.  Earlier, Nike had a five-year contract with board for the kits and merchandise which ended in September 2020.

MPL Sports, India’s largest eSports platform offers a wide range of merchandise, headgears, cricket equipment, and sports kits. 

The newly inked strategic partnership will start with the India Tour of Australia which will begin on 27 November. As a part of the deal, Mobile Premier League will also sell a wide range of Team India official merchandise in the market. The sports brand will sell the official merchandise and other Team India cricket products at an affordable rate to the fans.

MPL is currently in partnership with many other businesses. MPL is associated with two current IPL franchises – Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challenger Bangalore along with a CPL team and two cricket boards – Ireland and UAE cricket board.

Mr. Sourav Ganguly, President, BCCI said: “We are delighted to announce the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket with the appointment of MPL Sports as the kit sponsor for the Indian men’s and women’s national cricket team until 2023. We look forward to MPL Sports adding a new chapter to the team’s kit, and bring Official BCCI licensed merchandise within easy and convenient reach for the billion-plus fans who cheer for Team India.”
Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said: “The partnership leads us to a new frontier for Team India and for sports merchandising in the country. We look forward to working with a young Indian brand like MPL Sports to tap the potential that this sphere holds. This partnership aims at facilitating access to high-quality Indian cricket fan merchandise, including the coveted Indian cricket team jersey for cricket fans not just in the country but globally.”
Mr. Abhishek Madhavan, SVP, Growth and Marketing, MPL, and MPL Sports, said: “India is a market with a billion cricket fans and we see a lot of potential in the underpenetrated merchandise market in India. We hope to partner closely with the BCCI and take all kinds of team India merchandise to the masses – with offline as well as online distribution at affordable prices.

ALSO READ: India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India

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India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India

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India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India

India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India. The former Australian pacer talks about India vs Australia series. India vs Australia: Glenn McGrath feels Australia has an edge over India.

The former Australian pacer, Glenn McGrath speaks in support of Australia ahead of India vs Australia. McGrath feels Australia has a slight edge over India because of left arm Pacer Mitchell Stark. India will be buoyed with the series win against Australia back in 2018-19.

“Bowlers will have a job to do in the test series. Mohd. Shami has great control and can swing the ball on both sides, Umesh has got raw pace. Bumrah is just class. He has great mental strength. His second and third spells are as quick as the first one. You have guys who, if on fire, are tough to beat but on the par, you have Josh Hazlewood, he can hit the right areas with the ball,” McGrath to the select media in an interaction organized by Sony.

“Pat Cummins is no 1 bowler in the world right now. He gets slightly different angles because of the way he runs in. Then they have, Mitchell Starc, the left arm lethal pacer. When he gets right, he can easily pick four or five at a go. He has got that X-Factor. If Both the teams are bowling on with top performances, I will rate Australia slightly higher because of the left-arm pacer.”

Click Here to read: Pat Cummins: Bio Bubble helped him for the upcoming series with India

McGrath on Cheteswar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara scoring century against Sri Lanka
Cheteshwar Pujara against Sri Lanka | Image – AFP

India’s win against Australia back in 2018-19 was because of the valiant efforts from Pujara. Cheteshwar scoring 571, including 3 centuries made it easy for Team India. However, this time he will have to put in some extra efforts.

“Pujara is one of the two players in Indian Test squads who is not featured in any cricket match since March, thanks to Covid-19. Cheteshwar Pujara lastly played in the Ranji Trophy final in March. He is out of the game for almost 10 months, although he is practicing with the state team Saurashtra in nets.”

“McGrath feels he has to work harder for his runs to make a big impact due to lack of match time and not batting long.”

Read: Australia vs India Full Schedule and Squads

“The last time he was successful to compile runs was that he occupied the crease for long. He is not the kind of batsman who feels pressure for not scoring runs. The modern-day cricketers want to convert the next over for a big if one over gets maiden. Pujara does not have that mindset, which helped him last time.“

McGrath on Australian Pitches:

The changing pitches is not a problem anymore for the current lineup, unlike in the past where they had to adjust to the pace and the bounce from the Australian Pitches. The surfaces have changed its character over the year.

“In the early days, Indian batsmen were not used to the pace and bounce from the pitches. But these now have become more flatter. I would not say they was real fear but the inexperienced bounce and pace troubled them. I don’t think Australian pitches have the same pace and bounce. But they are still quicker than what they get in India.”

“The first test will be interesting, as India has never experienced the Day and Night test game in Australia. With the sun setting, it will start favoring pacers. It is about a time when you are bowling and batting. Virat will have to make an impact in the first game itself, he won’t be plying more of them because of paternity leave.”

“As far as other batsmen are concerned, Rohit Sharma is a quality player. He has not shown anything big in overseas Test cricket but in absence of Virat he will definitely step up. You can not depend on one player, especially in the longest format of the game. You have Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, and many more, they have a quality lineup,” he concluded.

ALSO READ: New Zealand announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Test against West Indies

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Corona spread in Adelaide: Will the first Test between India and Australia be affected?

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Corona spread in Adelaide: Will the first Test between India and Australia be affected?

The corona has started spreading in Adelaide. The question has arisen as to whether the first Test between India and Australia will be affected.

Sydney,

The Indian cricket team led by Virat Kohli has gone to Australia. They will be playing in 3 ODIs, 2 T20, and 4 Tests.

The first ODI is between two teams in Sydney on the 27th. The first Test cricket match between the two teams starts after the ODI and T20-series in Adelaide next month (December 17).

Coronavirus infection

Coronavirus infection has not yet disappeared around the world. The coronavirus is under control in many countries. In some countries, the virus has intensified its attack as the second wave, the third wave. Australia has very well controlled The number of coronavirus infections. There was even a situation where the daily impact was absent for a few days. In this condition the number of corona spreads in Adelaide has increased sharply in the last 2 days.

Thus, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Provinces close their borders with South Australia. Those coming from Adelaide to other parts of Australia were yesterday ordered to be isolated in a hotel for 14 days. The Tasmanian Department of Health has advised isolation of those returning from the Sheffield cricket tournament in South Australia after the 9th. As a precautionary measure, players, including Tasmania’s Test captain Tim Payne and Matthew Wade, have isolated themselves.

Will the corona spread to affect the first Test between India and Australia in Adelaide next month? The question is in everyone’s mind. But the Cricket Board of Australia is confident that the match will go ahead as planned. However, there are reports that the final call will be taken depending on the situation. The Cricket Board of Australia has decided to allow 50 percent of the fans in the stadium seating facility for the Test match. Will this decision be reversed due to the corona threat? Let’s see what in store in the future.

New Zealand announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Test against West Indies

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New Zealand announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Test against West Indies

New Zealand announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Test against West Indies. Black Caps to play 3 T20I and 2 Tests. New Zealand announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Test against West Indies.

The New Zealand Cricket Board announced 13 men Squad for T20I and Tests against West Indies. West Indies tour of New Zealand will begin on 27th November with T20I.

Black Caps have handed over the national call up to Devon Conway, Wellington Batsman for the T20I fixtures against West Indies. Along with Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson has also found his name in the T20 side. Jamieson who made his international debut earlier this year against India in ODIs and Tests will play T20I on November 27, 29, and 30.

However, Trent Boult and Kane Williamson are rested for the T20I series. Both experienced cricketers will play 2 Tests starting on 3 December. Tim Southee will be leading the T20 side in absence of experienced counterparts.

Southee, Ros Taylor, and debutant Jamieson will only be available for the first 2 T20’s before they join the 13 men Test squad against West Indies. Doug Bracewell, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Mark Chapman will replace them in the 3rd T20I. Colin Munro will not be featuring in any of the squad due to his Big Bash League commitments.

Tom Latham and Time Southee| New Zealand Cricket
Tom Latham and Time Southee | Image – Getty Images

New Zealand coach Gary Stead on Squads:

“I think we’re all very aware and appreciative of how much work has gone in to make this home summer possible – in what is clearly unprecedented times. The season schedule is complex and for the first time we’re going to have a BLACKCAPS Test squad assembling on the same day we’re playing a T20 International in another city,” Grey Stead said in a statement.

“We’ve got players at quite different stages with some having played almost a month of domestic cricket, some in managed isolation following the IPL, and others battling injuries. Firstly, we have a challenging T20 series against an opposition full of stars with plenty of big-game experience. The three-game series is over just four days so we’ll need to hit the ground running to build some momentum for the summer,” he added.

“With Colin heading to the Big Bash and therefore unavailable for the Pakistan T20 series pre-Christmas, the selectors are keen to look at other batting options at the top of the order,” he said.

New Zealand T20I Squad:

Tim Southee (c), Hamish Bennett, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (wicket-keeper), Ross Taylor, Doug Bracewell, Scott Kuggeleijn, and Mark Chapman.

New Zealand Test Squad:

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wicket-keeper), Will Young

ALSO READ: Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma for Test Captaincy

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Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma for Test Captaincy

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Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma for Test Captaincy

Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma for Test Captaincy. The former Australian reckons Rahane should be a better option. Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane ahead of Rohit Sharma for Test Captaincy.

Soon after the Board of Control for Cricket in India released, Virat will be leaving Australia after the 1st Test, the experts have been divided into two views. Indian regular skipper will miss India vs Australia test series after the 1st game due to paternity leave and will fly back to India. 

In absence of a regular skipper who will lead the side against a tenacious Australian lineup, the question is trending all over. While BCCI kept its silence on the issue but the experts of Cricket are divided into two views.

The likes of Irfan Pathan says that Rohit Sharma will be a much better option then Ajinkya Rahane. However, Brad Hogg reckons Ajinkya Rahane as a wise pick.

The Former Australian leg-spinner feels Rohit has not been in good touch in the overseas conditions when it comes to red-ball cricket, however, Ajinkya Rahane has done a fairly good job.

“Rahane will do a fine job. The only other option would be Rohit but his record touring in Test Cricket provides no certainty of him holding a spot in the team,” Hogg tweeted.

Read Australia vs India full Fixture- Click Here

Is Anjinkya Rahane a better option:

Talking about the red ball fixtures, the white ball stylish opener has lacked his wood in overseas pitches. The five times IPL title winner made his test debut back in 2013, has an average of 88.33 with six tons and five half tons in home conditions. The overseas pitches have disturbed Rohit Sharma most of the time with his average dropping to just 26.32 away from home.

Rohit Sharma returned to the test side last year in winters against South Africa. This time the stylish wite ball batsman played as an opener and scored back to back hundreds and a double century. However, the exam of Rohit Sharma in overseas conditions is still due.

The limited over Vice Captian of India missed the Test fixtures against New Zealand due to an injury. The recent test series against Aussies will be “make or break” for the 33-year-old, as far as the longest format career is concerned.

Ajinkya Rahane India’s Vice-Captain in Tests has done a fairly decent job. The Right-Handed player is the regular test player and a dependent cricketer to provide depth. Rahane proved his steel against Australia in the 2017 decider test match in home conditions when Virat Kohli was ruled out due to an injury.

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