India Are Favourite To Win Against Australia: Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan fast-bowler Wasim Akram feels Australia will be under pressure to deliver when they take on India in the upcoming four Test series.

India and Australia are now all set to renew their rivalry in Tests. Both the teams, however, are entering the series on the back of contrasting fortunes. While India, barring the loss in England and South Africa, have looked unstoppable in Tests, Australian cricket is going through a turmoil. Australia will be without two of their batting mainstays  – David Warner and Steve Smith. Both the players along with rookie Cameron Bancroft are currently serving the ban imposed on them for the ball-tampering scandal.

Ever since the scandal, Australia’s performance has only deteriorated. They where whitewashed by England in ODIs, lost the T20I tri-series to final before losing to Pakistan again in Tests and T20Is. Recently, they lost to South Africa in ODIs and T20I at home. Australia, however, managed to draw the three-match T20I series against India. But despite that, Wasim Akram feels the hosts will be under pressure in the Tests.

“India are favourites to win in my opinion cause Australia isn’t the team like they’ve had in the past 30 years. It’s a new team, they’re young and they will be under pressure against India,” Akram told IndiaTV.

Akram, however, refused to predict the outcome of the much-anticipated series.

“I can’t predict the outcome of the series. It’s happening in Australia, it’s different, they’re playing with the Kookaburra which the Indians aren’t used to, they play with the SG, which has plenty of swing. It’s an important series for India, for their batsmen and their bowlers as well,” Akram added.

The legendary bowler further delivered a word of advice for the visitors, advising the Indian bowlers to get used to the Kookaburra ball.

“You got to practice with it (Kookaburra balls), use it in the nets, with the new and old ball and get to play with it in the side matches which I hope there should be because it’s quite tough to go directly into a Test match without playing a practice match. They can understand the bounce and can understand the adjustment.

“The pitches have sand which will put pressure on the lower back, hamstring and groin.

“If the bowlers are not used to it, you’ll risk getting injured. With the Kookaburra, after 15 to 20 overs, you come to know the skills of a bowler because it won’t have any reverse swing which the Australians will take advantage of,” he said.

The four-match Test series will get underway from December 6 at Adelaide.