Former India wicketkeeper-batsman-turned-commentator Deep Dasgupta has reckoned that the return of a half-fit David Warner for the third Test in Sydney shows how Australia is desperate to solve their top-order batting woes and it is indeed a great sign for Team India.
Warner missed the first two Tests of the ongoing four-Test series and even he is yet to be 100% fit and recover from the groin injury that he suffered during the ODI series last November, despite this, the hosts are eager to play him in the Sydney Test due to top-order failures.
Well, Dasgupta feels it would be really easy for Indian bowlers to attack the half-fit Warner since certain movement at the crease will be restricted due to the injury.
As per reports in India Today, Dasgupta said on Sports Today: “David Warner coming in, I think that's a great sign for Team India because that shows the desperation of the Australian side. Warner has already mentioned that he can't lunge, and if you have a groin injury it will be difficult to get on the front foot.”
He further opined: “I think it will be comparatively easier for bowlers to plan against David Warner with his injury because you know there will be certain movements he will be restricted with.”
Meanwhile, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha also felt the same, saying the India bowlers will make the most of the Australian opener’s weakness, especially the spinners must “make Warner come forward and stretch with every ball” that they bowl.
Ojha further noted, “When you see someone who is not able to move his feet properly because of the injury that he's got, and if you're not 100 percent fit then I think the first thing he has to do is to survive against Indian seamers with their swing and movement off the wicket.”
He signed off by saying, “Ashwin and Jadeja then have to make sure to make him step forward and stretch with every ball that they bowl because that's where the weakness is. When a batsman of his stature is not comfortable in a certain area, it becomes a straightforward thing for the bowlers... you attack him on his weakness.”
(With India Today Inputs)
