The upcoming 2020-21 Border Gavaskar series between India and Australia is labelled as one of the most anticipated series. However, prior to the start of the tour, the fans were left shocked when BCCI confirmed that Virat Kohli won’t be part of the squad for the last three of the four-match Test series. The BCCI has granted Virat Kohli the paternity leave as he expects his first child to arrive in January.
The last time India visited Australia, the Virat Kohli-led unit clinched Border-Gavaskar title 2-1. Virat Kohli, who has been the star batsman for India for a decade now, won’t be part of the last three Tests. Notably, the Indian skipper has hit 6 Test centuries against a quality side like Australia in Australia.
Former Australian great, Glenn Mcgrath believes that Virat Kohli’s absence would affect India’s performance as the latter is worth two players. He though respects Kohli for wanting to return to India for his birth of the first child and calls for other players to step up.
“It will impact the series. The player of his quality and class, for India to lose him in three out of four Tests is a big blow. It will be for the other players to step up. I can totally understand him wanting to go back for his first child’s birth. Kohli is worth two players; one, as a batsman and two, as the captain, setting the field with his energy and attitude. Australia would want to dominate the series and level the ledger. They have Smith and Warner back,” McGrath stated as quoted by Hindustan Times.
India will begin the tour with three ODIs, starting from 27th November. The second and third ODI will be played on 29th November and 2nd December 2020 respectively. The T20 series will start on 4th December 2020. The two and third T20s will be played on 4th December 2020 and 6th December 2020.
India’s tour of Australia 2020-21 will be concluded with 4-match Test series. The first Test will be played between 17th December and 21st December 2020. It will be held in Adelaide and will be played with the Pink Ball. The second, third and fourth Test will be held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane respectively.
