Bhubaneswar: The eagerly-awaited India-Australia series gets underway Thursday with the pink ball Test at the Adelaide Oval. This is the only game Virat Kohli will be play. He will then return to India to be with wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child. In Kohli’s absence, Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side. Ajinkya Rahane has stated that it will be a keenly-contested series. He said that though India will miss senior fast bowler Ishant Sharma, they have enough firepower to take 20 Australian wickets.
Both sides go into the first Test with injury problems. Australia will be without explosive opener David Warner. On the other hand India will rue the absence of Rohit Sharma and Ishant. The latter has been ruled out of the entire tour due to a side strain he suffered during the IPL.
India have not decided who will play in place of Ishant. However, Rahane asserted that India have the back-up.
“Last time when we came here in 2018 the wickets were really challenging. However, we adjusted to those wickets really well,” Rahane told reporters at a virtual press conference ahead of the first Test. “As a batting unit we can adapt to any situation, any condition. I am not too concerned about short balls, it’s all about having a positive mindset as a batsman,” he added.
Rahane was then asked about the void created by Ishant’s absence. He said even though Ishant will be missed, others can fill his void.
“We do really have a very strong attack. Yes we will definitely miss Ishant, (he) being a senior fast bowler. But guys who are here … they all are really good, experienced. They know how to bowl in these conditions. It is all about getting that momentum,” Rahane pointed out. “I do believe that we have the attack to get 20 wickets,” he signed off.