Australia vs India: Tim Paine issues a warning to India ahead of the Perth Test

After a nerve-wracking battle between the ball and the bat, the visitors managed to defeat the hosts in a low-scoring encounter by 31 runs in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval and thus taking an unprecedented 1-0 lead in the ongoing four-Test series between Australia and India. Low on confidence, Australian batsmen especially lower middle order fought really hard making it tough for Kohli and company to earn the victory.

Both teams now head to the western part of the country for the second Test match to be played in Perth high on confidence, albeit for different reasons. While the pressure is on Paine’s team to make sure the top-ranked Indian team doesn’t run away with an invincible lead in the second Test, Kohli will be eyeing on another win to get an inch closer to the historic series victory Down Under.

Moreover, Aussie skipper can’t wait to unleash four fast bowlers on an unsuspecting India on Optus Stadium’s new pitch that is going to be really fast. The 34-year-old believe that the struggling Australians have a good chance of putting the pressure back on India at Perth’s new Optus Stadium, which is all set to host its first Test match.

With quality fast bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in their ranks, Aussie pace attack can wreak havoc on the visiting side which is also facing some issues with the batting. However, there is a bit of uncertainty over whether the drop-in wicket at the new Perth Stadium can match the WACA in terms of the pace and bounce but Paine has insisted that Virat Kohli’s Team India will be welcomed with a “really fast” wicket at the new venue.

The Tasmanian believes that the tall left-hand fast bowler, Starc will be lethal with the ball at the new wicket which offers a lot of purchase to the seam bowlers.

Here’s what Tim Paine said

The Aussie captain was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au, ” When Starcy’s on a song, there is no better bowler in the world, particularly with the new ball. In Perth, the conditions will suit him down to the ground … from what I am hearing, the wicket is going to be really fast so he’ll be a handful,”

“He didn’t set the world on fire but I think, for a long time, there’s been a really big gap between Starcy’s best and his worst. And from what I’m seeing, that is getting closer and closer every day. Was he at his best? Probably not. But I still thought he played his role.” he further added to Cricket.com.au.

The wicket-keeper batsman’s opinion was echoed by the former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting who said the Perth pitch will suit the Australian more than the visiting Indian team. However, he stressed the need for the hosts to bounce back quickly in the ongoing four-match rubber. The second Test match will start from 14th December at the new Stadium in Perth.

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