India vs Australia 2020: Glenn McGrath makes pre-series prediction on Cheteshwar Pujara

India vs Australia 2020 series is just around corner as cricket fans gear up for an adventurous Australian summer. Banking on Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, India won ir first Test series Down Under during ir previous tour in 2018-19. As a result, Australian great Glenn McGrath feels India hold  bragging rights currently as both teams gear up for Broder-Gavaskar Trophy. McGrath shared his overall thoughts for tournament and explains why he feels that India has fear coming to Australia like y earlier had in his playing days.

Virat Kohli Conundrum

Indian captain Virat Kohli led national side to ir first-ever Test Series win Down Under in 2018, which is still considered as one of his biggest achievements. However, things will t be same this time around as Indian skipper is only available for first Test. Virat Kohli is expected to feature in pink-ball Test that will be played in Adelaide from December 17-21.

Indian skipper will be missing all remaining three Tests. Kohli was granted paternity leave by BCCI as he will return to India and be with his wife Anushka Sharma for birth of duo’s first child.

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McGrath spoke on Kohli’s absence by saying how Indian captain is worth 2 players. He goes on to add how his captaincy and batsmanship helped India win last time around. former pacer also mentioned how Australia have upper hand this time around with Warner and Smith coming back to Test setup.

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Hindustan Times quoted Glenn McGrath, who said, "It will impact series. player of his quality and class, for India to lose him in three out of four Tests is a big blow. It will be for or players to step up. I can totally understand him wanting to go back for his first child’s birth.”

India vs Australia 2020: McGrath downplays Pujara's importance?

Glenn McGrath also hails importance of Cheteshwar Pujara in Indian team’s Test setup. Pujara was a vital cog in India’s success last time around as India’s .3 recorded 521 runs in 4 matches. Saurashtra-based player also registered a staggering aver of 74.42 during India’s triumph in 2018-19 in Australia.

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Glenn McGrath said how Pujara’s main trait that helped him excel last time was his ability to occupy crease. He added how Pujara just keeps on batting and does t feel pressure of scoring runs. He went on to applaud unique trait of Pujara that helped him last time and allowed him to get a lot of time to just compile runs.

However, McGrath also predicted that Pujara might find it difficult this time. He shared how Indian batsman, who last featured in a competitive match back in March 2020, hasn’t spent much time in middle, with rhythm, momentum or practice as such to shore up his confidence. fast bowler concluded that Pujara would possibly have to work harder to succeed this time in Australia and perhaps his form will be critical in deciding fate of series.

India squad for Australia tour

India squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Mohd. Siraj.

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Im Credits- BCCI/Twitter