India Will Go in as Favourites for the First Time Against Australia - Shane Warne

Former Australian cricketer, Shane Warne believes India will go into the Test series against Australia later this year as favourites because of their improved fast bowling department.

Meanwhile, India will travel Down Under in December for a four-match Test series. Virat Kohli and his men will be keen to beat Australia at their own fortress for the first time.

Moreover, it will be a huge opportunity for India as they (hosts) will be playing without two crucial players.

Steven Smith and David Warner will not take part due to a 12-month suspension. Both were sanctioned by Cricket Australia (CA) in the wake of a ball-tampering scandal.

India to go as favourites:

Warne while talking to India Today lauded India’s seam bowling. The maestro also added that the visitors will have all bases covered, unlike previous tours.

“They (India) have an all round team with all bases covered. Usually, when India used to come to Australia in the past when I was playing, they would struggle on those fast, bouncy pitches,” Warne told IT.

“Their fast bowling was ok but not as good as their spin. Now we are seeing some of their fast bowlers are as good as any in the world. So on those fast and bouncy pitches, Virat (Kohli) does not have to concentrate on just spin, they also have some excellent fast bowlers,” he added.

Warne, who is the mentor of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) said Team India has been a ‘proven’ unit.

Shane Warne further asserted Indian pacemen have all the weapon in their armoury.

“They are a proven side. I think India for the first time especially with no (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner will go in as favourites in a long time, if not ever against Australia, later in the year,” he concluded.

India will play three Twenty20 Internationals before the Test series in Australia. It will then be followed by three One-day Internationals to culminate the tour.

Also read: Proud of the way our bowlers performed: Virat Kohli