"I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma" - Kerry O'Keeffe predicts Australia to 'torpedo' the Indian skipper during Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australia leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe feels Pat Cummins and company will go hard at Team India skipper Rohit Sharma during the upcoming five-match Test series to send a message. There is uncertainty regarding Rohit's participation for the initial part of the tour, with Jasprit Bumrah primed to lead the side in his absence.
The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Virat Kohli have had to bear the brunt of the Australian bowlers' hostility in the past. By going after the leader in terms of aggressive bowling, fields, and sledging, the Aussies' wish to dictate the proceedings and make the touring side as uncomfortable as possible.
"Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It's been a tactic they've used forever, and I think they'll go very hard at Rohit Sharma," O'Keeffe told Fox Sports.
Rohit Sharma's dismal form makes the task easier for the Australians. The opening batter endured a horrendous home season, recording just one fifty in 10 innings against Bangladesh and New Zealand combined.
"If you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him" - O'Keeffe on Virat Kohli
Apart from Rohit Sharma, fellow batter Virat Kohli will be under tremendous pressure. He has a fair share of history in Australia and can be expected the same treatment in terms of hostility on the pitch as his captain.
Kohli has grabbed the headlines upon his arrival, while comments about his form are also equally dominating the build-up to the series.
"Kohli, who has worried them (Australia) over the years, what a stunning player he's been; but in sport, if you sense that the king of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him," O'Keeffe said in the same interaction.
"I'm fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win," he added
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to begin with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.