Xtra Time Web Desk: Australia’s test skipper Tim Paine on Friday said he is wary about the depleted Indian team ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Australia inflicted a mental scar on the Indians following the 36 all out in the second innings of the first test at Adelaide. The Aussie captain said they must be “bang on the mark” to inflict more misery to the Indians after their Adelaide collapse. Paine also is aware of the fact that it would be a mistake to underestimate India despite the tourists missing superstar captain Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child and their premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has fractured his bowling arm.
“We can’t pay any attention to mental scares or whatever anyone is talking about,” Paine said of India, who were savaged at home for their Adelaide capitulation.
“I mean, India is a proud cricket country, they are an extremely talented Test match side with lots of dangerous players.”
India have made four changes to their side which played in the first test at Adelaide Oval. Talented young batsman Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj will make their debuts while Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja also has been include in the playing XI. Gill replaces Prithvi Shaw in the opening position while wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha makes way for Pant. In contrast, Australia are expected to name the same XI.
Paine said Australia had studied everyone in the Indian squad and they were ready for whoever took the field.
“We know that some of the players they’re talking about coming in to their side, like a KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant, are dangerous players who like to take the game on and will play positively,” he said.
“If we give players like that an inch they will take a mile, so we need to be bang on the mark tomorrow as we were in Adelaide and be prepared to turn up for another five day battle.”