Former Australia captain Steve Waugh says the upcoming four-Test series is a “significant chance” for India to bag its maiden series win Down Under.
“They (India) would have prepared for this tour for a long time, I think it’s going to be a really close series,” Waugh told ‘ESPNcricinfo’.
Virat Kohli became the second Indian batsman to score 500 runs in a Test series in Australia during the fourth and final match of the 2014-15 series.
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The charismatic right-hander achieved the feat in his 33rd Test, following in the footsteps of batting legend Rahul Dravid who amassed 619 runs from eight innings in the 2003-04 Australia tour.
Asked how the host side could tackle the Kohli threat this time around, Waugh said, "He is a great player and he loves these big moments. He is like Tendulkar and Lara.
"They wait for these and that's where they want to show their best. He will be the dangerman straightaway but they (India) have some pretty good batsmen."
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Aussie pace battery
Former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist echoed Waugh's assessment, stating the visitor would mainly bank on its talismanic skipper to get runs on the board.
“Virat is clearly the best player in the world at the moment. So India will look to him to score heavily but all are going to have their challenges and so will the Australian batting line-up,” Gilchrist said.
The big-hitting batsman of yesteryears was of the opinion that the Australian pace attack comprising Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood could pose tough questions.
“I think Pat Cummins is outstanding, Hazlewood is almost McGrath like with his bowling. Those three guys and there are couple in the wings who are high quality fast bowlers.”
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