Dale Steyn Predicts Outcome Of India-Australia Test Series
Dec 1, 2018 at 10:33 AM
South Africa speedster Dale Steyn has predicted Australia would beat India in the upcoming four-match Test series.
India and Australia are now all set to renew their rivalry in Tests. Both the teams, however, are entering the series on the back of contrasting fortunes. While India, barring the loss in England and South Africa, have looked unstoppable in Tests, Australian cricket is going through a turmoil. Australia will be without two of their batting mainstays – David Warner and Steve Smith. Both the players along with rookie Cameron Bancroft are currently serving the ban imposed on them for the ball-tampering scandal.
Ever since the scandal, Australia’s performance has only deteriorated. They where whitewashed by England in ODIs, lost the T20I tri-series to final before losing to Pakistan again in Tests and T20Is. Recently, they lost to South Africa in ODIs and T20I at home.
On the other hand, India have looked almost unstoppable in Tests. Barring the losses in South Africa and England this year, the Virat Kohli-led side blew away every team that it faced.
But despite that, Dale Steyn has picked Australia as favourites due to the hosts’ record over the tourists.
“I’d probably go with Australia, just in terms of history against India. The amount of touring they (India) have had this year, the guys might be a bit tired,” Steyn told cricket.com.au.
Steyn, who had correctly predicted that England would beat India, further said that India could pose problems for the hosts if their bowlers perform like they did in England.
“Even in England, I put my money on England to beat India, but India pushed then. I thought that England’s bowling would be the thing that pipped India, but India’s bowling really surprised me and if they continue in that vein they could cause some trouble down here (in Australia),” Steyn said.
And as far as the history is concerned, Australia is well on top. In previous 11 visits to Australia, India have never managed to win a series Down Under. In fact, they have managed to win just 5 of the 44 Tests they have played in Australia.
The first Test between the two teams is scheduled to take place at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6.