IND vs AUS: Adam Zampa And Mitchell Starc Are The Two Biggest Threats For India: Abhinav Mukund

Former India opener Abhinav Mukund has said Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc would be the biggest threat for Team India in the upcoming three-match ODI series. Before launching their respective World Cup campaign next month, India and Australia will lock horns against each other in a three-match ODI series.

It will be the last assignment for both teams ahead of the marquee event. The series will get underway on September 22 in Mohali. India will be looking to avenge the series loss they suffered against Australia at home earlier this year. In March, India lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 against Australia and would be looking to make amends in the forthcoming series.

And ahead of the series, Abhinav Mukund has shared his views on the challenges that India could face. The former cricketer believes that Zampa and Starc could cause a lot of trouble for the home side. During a discussion on Sports 18, Abhinav Mukund was asked whether the pacer and the leg-spinner are the biggest threat to India’s batting lineup. In reply, he said:

“Most definitely, I think Zampa and Starc are going to be the biggest threats for India as far as I am concerned. Zampa has not necessarily bowled well in India when he has played in the IPL but when he turns up for Australia, he is a different beast altogether.”

When India and Australia faced each other earlier this year, Starc was the highest wicket-taker with 8 wickets to his name. On the other hand, Zampa was the highest wicket-taker among the spinners.

Abhinav Mukund on Adam Zampa’s success for Australia:

Speaking further, Abhinav Mukund explained the reason behind Adam Zampa’s success with the Australian team. The ex-cricketer stated that the presence of a strong seam-bowling attack makes the leg-spinner more effective for his national side. The spinner has picked up 139 wickets in 83 ODIs so far.

“I think that’s because of the way he is used and also the protection he has in terms of all those seamers around him. If we have got Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, I think Adam Zampa’s role becomes even more crucial,” opined Abhinav Mukund.

“He has always bowled well against India. He has bowled well against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but it’s important that someone takes him on. The questions have been posed more often than not and the answers have been quite sedate.

“I feel India should take on Zampa a bit more, understand that he is not a big turner of the ball. He has brought in a variation of a googly in the last two or three years but it’s more a top-spinner like how Yuzvendra Chahal bowls it. But I feel Zampa and Starc are the two biggest threats as far as India is concerned,” he added.

In 19 ODIs against India, Zampa has picked up 31 wickets against Team India. On the other hand, Starc has taken 25 wickets in 16 ODIs against India.