‘4-0, distant dream’- Sanjay Manjrekar downplays India’s chances of huge series win in Australia

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar feels that India’s dream of a 4-0 series win in Australia is very farfetched. Rohit Sharma and his side have to win the series in a bid to reach the finals of the World Test Championships. Team India have won both their previous two tours of Australia with a 2-1 margin. 

While speaking to Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar said, “4-0, a distant dream, just take one step at a time and the first couple of steps, which is Perth and the next one in Adelaide are going to be India's toughest tests. We need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, one of them, to have a great series. Problem for India is that the bowling which has been their great strength in the last couple of years, Shami missing."

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has just made his comeback to cricket for the first time since 19th November 2023. The 34-year-old is currently playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy tournament. BCCI is cautious about Shami’s fitness and doesn’t want to hurry him back into the mix. 

Sunil Gavaskar wants India to forget the New Zealand series 

India’s former batting great, Sunil Gavaskar was also part of the chat with Star Sports. The 74-year-old has asked India to forget the series against New Zealand and focus on the job ahead. Sunil Gavaskar gave the example of Rishabh Pant in particular when speaking about soaking up pressure. 

Sunil Gavaskar said, “No team, including the champion West Indies of the past has beaten Australia 4-0 to the best of my recollection. They've got a very good captain Rohit Sharma who's always been somebody who's been able to lift the team up."

“Rishabh Pant has got the great ability to soak up the pressure. He just wants to go out there and enjoy himself, play to the best of his ability. Forget what happened against New Zealand, they've just got to believe that they can turn the tables on Australia like they've done on the last couple of tours to Australia," said Sunil Gavaskar

India’s tour begins on 22nd November in Perth and the players have already started warming up. Virat Kohli who wasn’t part of the net session on Tuesday finally came out to bat on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has started his practice in Mumbai as his departure has been delayed.

 It isn’t still clear if the 37-year-old will be part of the first Test match. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side if Rohit Sharma indeed misses the opening game of the series. KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Eeswaran could open the batting in Rohit's absence as mentioned by Gautam Gambhir during the press conference.