Australia Tour Will Be A Bigger Challenge In 2020: Sourav Ganguly

Team India registered its name in the history books early this year by defeating Australia Down Under. Led by Virat Kohli, India became the first Asian team to dominate Australia on their home soil. However, the absence of Steven Smith and David Warner took the sheen off the historic occasion – the bowling line-up was very much same.

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With India set to play another Test series in Australia in 2020/21, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has opined that it will be a bigger challenge for the visitors when they tour the country next year.

“I think that’s going to be a bigger challenge for them (2020 Test series) and I am sure (with) the standards Virat sets for himself and his team, he’ll know at the back of his mind that the 2018 Australian team was not the best Australian team of his generation,” he told India Today.

India, on the previous tour, kicked off the proceedings with a win in the first Test in Adelaide. Tim Paine-led Australia made a comeback and won the second Test.

The Indian team management took a big call by axing both the openers for the Boxing Day Test and the experiment worked as the opening pair of Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal did not give Australia an early advantage. India won the third Test to go 2-1 up in the series.

The visitors again had an upper hand in the fourth Test but rain washed out number of sessions in Sydney. With two victories, India created history and registered first-ever series victory in Australia.

Though the things will be a bit different next year – the comebacks of Steven Smith and David Warner will change the equation. Smith hasn’t been the force in the ongoing Australia season but it is about time that he returns to form. Warner has a triple-century alongside his name but has lacked consistency in the ongoing season.

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Team India has a new Test opener in Rohit Sharma, who has now sealed his spot.  Although, the series is still 12 months away and the things can change with time.