Virat Kohli's Absence Will Impact The Series; He Is Worth Two Players: Glenn McGrath
Published - 17 Nov 2020, 06:58 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:37 AM
The news of Virat Kohli pulling out of the three out of four Tests in the upcoming Australia tour created a considerable stir amongst the Indian and Australian media. Virat Kohli is perhaps amongst the most impactful cricketers in the world and instead was critical to India’s successful defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Former Australian seamer Glenn McGrath feels it will have a massive impact on the series.
The BCCI has granted Virat Kohli the paternity leave as he expects his first child to arrive in January. The 32-year old’s aggressiveness as captain was one of the many reasons that shaped the country’s first Test series victory down under in 2018-19. He also has six Test centuries in Australia and India will miss his experience against the quality bowling line-up of the hosts.
While present Australian cricketers have delivered mixed opinions on the absence of Virat Kohli being an upper hand, Glenn McGrath feels it would be a body blow for India. McGrath respects Kohli’s decision for wanting to return for the birth of his child and calls for other players to step up. The former Australian fast-bowling prodigy underlined that the Indian captain is worth two players and the hosts would want to dominate them, especially with David Warner and Steve Smith in their armoury.
“It will impact the series. The player of his quality and class, for India to lose him in three out of four Tests is a big blow. It will be for the other players to step up. I can totally understand him wanting to go back for his first child’s birth. Kohli is worth two players; one, as a batsman and two, as the captain, setting the field with his energy and attitude. Australia would want to dominate the series and level the ledger. They have Smith and Warner back,” McGrath stated as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Virat Kohli will have to make an impact in the only Test he plays: Glenn McGrath
The New South Wales lad further said that the day-night Test in Adelaide would be a challenge for India, considering they have not played one in Australia. McGrath highlighted the timing being crucial in Adelaide and that Virat Kohli has to make an impact in the first Test itself, which is the only one he plays to get India’s confidence up and running. At the same time, he warned Australia that the visitors have a strong batting line-up and cannot concentrate on only one player.
“That first Test is going to be interesting. That is a day-night Test. India haven’t played a day-night Test in Australia. At night, with the sun setting, it will probably start favouring the fast bowlers. It will be about timing, when you are bowling or batting. Virat, if he has to have an impact in the series, will have to make an impact in the only Test he is playing. That will set the tone. Two years back, the first Test win in Adelaide gave them a lot of confidence. You can’t just focus on one player. You have Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul. India has a strong batting line-up,” the 50-year old added.
Also Read: Aaron Finch Was The Biggest Disappointment For RCB In IPL 2020: Aakash Chopra
