“I don’t think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks” – Brad Haddin warns India ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has warned India ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Haddin reckons the visitors will fail to deliver against the Australian speedsters on pace-friendly tracks. He especially pointed out Yashasvi Jaiswal as the most vulnerable due to inexperience Down Under.
The reaction came ahead of the first of the five-game Test series, scheduled to start in Perth on November 22. Haddin told LiSTNR Sport Podcast (via Times of India):
“I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks. I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work.”
Jaiswal is currently the second-highest run-getter in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The southpaw has amassed 1407 runs in 26 innings, comprising two double centuries. He remains key to India's success as they aim to win a third consecutive Border Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
“Both fast bowling attacks are so good” – Aaron Finch says both India and Australia top order are vulnerable to pace in Border Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch shared similar sentiments with the Australian perspective in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He said in the same interaction:
“At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order.”
Finch further stressed the importance of the two wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant in the five-match series. On this, he said:
“I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant. The two wicketkeepers are going to be so important. For me, it's that really crucial role of Alex at No. 7 and Rishabh at 6 likely. Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive. The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important.”
Rishabh Pant had scored 274 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50, including two half-centuries during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The 27-year-old smashed an unbeaten 89 in the last Test at Gabba to help India seal the four-match series 2-1. He has amassed 422 runs, including one ton and three half-centuries, in his last five Tests since his comeback.
Meanwhile, Alex Carey has 576 runs in 20 Test innings at an average of 32, including one century and three fifties, at home.