NEW DELHI: Basit Ali, the former Pakistan cricketer, has expressed confidence in India’s prospects of securing victory against an anxious Australian team in Melbourne in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
The 2024 Test series stands level at 1-1, following India’s commanding performance in Perth and Australia’s subsequent recovery in Adelaide.
Inclement weather and persistent rain led to the abandonment of the Brisbane Test. With two matches remaining and World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification at stake, Basit anticipates an Indian victory in the Melbourne Test, scheduled to commence on Thursday.
“India will have the best chance to win in Melbourne. There can be two spinners in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia is concerned about the possibility of missing out on the WTC final if they lose in Melbourne. Australia’s two matches against Sri Lanka won’t be easy. If the batters make the same mistakes as in Brisbane and Adelaide, then India will be in trouble,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
The Indian squad received reinforcement before the fourth Test through the addition of uncapped Tanush Kotian, who joins following Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement.
During a press conference, India’s captain Rohit Sharma discussed the selection of Kotian for the remaining two Tests.
“Yeah, Tanush was here a month ago (for the Australia A series). And Kuldeep (Yadav), I don’t think, has a visa (laughs). We wanted somebody who could get here as quickly as possible. Tanush was the one who was ready and he played here,” the skipper said.
“Not that Tanush is not good enough. He has shown in the last two years what he has done in domestic cricket. We really just wanted a backup in case, you know, we need two spinners playing here or in Sydney, you need a backup option,” he added.
