India’s former opener Gautam Gambhir has put faith into the team’s fast bowlers to continue their golden run in Australia when they travel down under for four Tests and a limited-overs series later this year.
Virat Kohli's side, in the 2018/19 series, became the first Indian side to beat Australia in a Test series in their own den. The win was buoyed by amazing performances from Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and the pace bowling unit of Ishant, Shami, and Bumrah.
AUS v IND 2020-21: COC Predicted Team India squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia
However, there was a catch as Australia was missing two of their best batsmen in Steve Smith and David Warner, who were banned due to their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
This time around, both Warner and Smith will be available for selection, and given how Smith performed in his return to Tests in 2019 Ashes and Warner scoring a triple hundred against Pakistan at home, things might look worrisome for the Indian team.
However, Gambhir feels Indian pacers can trouble the duo.
"India has fast bowlers to challenge any team in any conditions. I am sure with success on the last tour of Australia in the bag, if we go to Australia, we will be serious challengers to the hosts," said Gambhir.
Gambhir also expressed his opinion on the men's T20 World Cup, which is in doubt amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Look, these are not easy decisions to make. It has to be a well-thought-out call. I am sure ICC will clarify their stand sooner than later. It is important that they take everyone else in confidence," said Gambhir.
"Border-Gavaskar Trophy is equivalent to Ashes", Steve Waugh talks up Australia-India rivalry
Talking about the resumption of cricket in India, which has been on halt since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Gambhir said, "Personally speaking, whenever the time is right, cricket in India will resume. Well, it depends on multiple factors. I am absolutely confident that BCCI will take a calculated call on this. No one is in a hurry as human lives are far more important. At the same time, some bit of cricket will immensely help in uplifting the mood of the nation. So it is a delicate decision...a bit of catch 22.”
Gambhir also backed BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to put his name in for the post of ICC Chairman, which was vacated by Shashank Manohar on July 1.
"I am not privy to what Sourav Ganguly is thinking. But yes, it will be good if India can have its representation in the top management of the ICC. India deserves democratic representation in the ICC,” Gambhir said.
(IANS inputs)
