They'll Get Smoked 4-0: Michael Clarke On India's Chances In The Test Series If They Don't Seize Early Initiative

Former Australian captain, Michael Clarke, feels that India could be in for a 0-4 hiding in the upcoming four-match Test series Down Under if they don’t set the tone early on in the tour during the six white-ball internationals and Virat Kohli’s first and only Test of the summer at the Adelaide Oval.

India will lock horns with the Aussies in three ODIs and as many T20Is before they take on the Tim Paine-led No.1 ranked Test side in the world, in the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The visitors are set to be dealt with a body-blow when champion batsman and inspiring red-ball leader, Virat Kohli leaves the Test series after the opening Test at the Adelaide Oval, and, according to Michael Clarke, if the Indian skipper does not set the tone in the limited-overs fixtures and the first Test, then the visitors will be ‘trounced 0-4’

”These one-dayers and these Twenty20s is where Virat Kohli can really stand up and lead from the front. I think the tone he sets with this team will play a big role when he leaves, after the first Test match.” Michael Clarke told Sky Sports Radio.

“If India don‘t have success in the one-dayers and the T20s, they are in deep trouble in the Test matches and they’ll get smoked 4-0, in my opinion.” he further claimed.

‘He’s got to use that short ball consistently and regularly’- Michael Clarke on the ploy Jasprit Bumrah should use against Steve Smith

Unlike India, Australia will be in possession with their best batsman in Steve Smith this time around. And, the manner in which Indian bowlers bowl at the No.1 ranked Test batsmen will have a bearing on the outcome of the series.

Smith was targeted via consistent short-pitch ploy by Neil Wagner last summer and, according to Michael Clarke, Jasprit Bumrah has got to be that man for India, who employs the same strategy to tie down Smith.

“He‘s quick, he’s got a really different action, so I think he needs to set the tone and be really aggressive to the Australian batters. Even to someone like Steve Smith, he’s got to use that short ball consistently and regularly, as Jofra Archer did to Steve Smith in the Ashes.” Michael Clarke said.

“They’ve got to take the Aussies on and those two players are India’s best two players to be aggressive to the Australians.” he added.

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