Australia without Smith, Warner is like India missing Kohli, Rohit: Sourav Ganguly

The Indian team will embark upon a new journey when they fly to Australia for a full-fledged tour under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper will look to repeat his heroics from his last tour down under and at the same time, would want to steer his side to their maiden Test series win on Australian soil.

However, it won’t be a walkover despite the Aussies missing their star players in Steve Smith and David Warner for the entire length of the series. Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly believes this as a great opportunity for the Virat-led side to create history with two of Australia’s match winners missing the battle.

Omission of Smith, Warner a factor

It is a huge loss for Australian cricket as they haven’t been able to fill the void left after the departure of Smith and Warner. Ganguly compares this loss with Team India being devoid of the services of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

“It’s a huge factor. This is like the Indian team not having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,” Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines an event.

The Australian trio that was found guilty in the awful ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March 2019, was banned from international as well as domestic cricket. Recently reports emerged with Australian Cricketers Association pressurizing Cricket Australia to lift the ban on the trio given the fact that they are approaching important cricket in the next few months. However, the possibility for that to happen is very minimal as CA stays put on its stand.

Great opportunity for India

Ganguly, who captained India to their best ever series result in Australia in 2004, holds the opinion that this is the team’s best chance to claim a Test series victory down under.

“You also have to keep in mind that Australia in Australia is a different kettle of fish. Many feel that they are a weak outfit, but I don’t think so,” he said.

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