Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that the Indian team will not be sure about their batting order when the charismatic captain Virat Kohli returns home after the first Test against Australia. The Cricket Board of India (BCCI) has granted paternity leave to 32-year-old Kohli so that he can be with his wife during the birth of their first child.
“The one thing we haven’t spoken enough about is yes India were really good here last time, but with those guys (Smith and Warner) missing at the top of the order, that leaves a big gap in any team,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.
“India will feel that without Kohli there (for three Tests), for his batting and leadership, that will put all sorts of pressure on different players. You’d think (Ajinkya) Rahane will take over the captaincy, which will put extra pressure on him, and they’ve got to find someone to bat at that really important No.4 spot, “he added.
The Indian bowling attack will be led by Jaspreet Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. If Ishant Sharma recovers from an injury suffered during the Indian Premier League, India will give him a place in the team, while Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini are also part of India’s Test team.