Leg spin legend Shane Warne predicted that the four match Test series between India and Australia would be lot more closely fought than what is being currently predicted. Speaking at 'Sportales' — a sport themed literary festival on the eve of the first Test match between the two sides — Warne said, “India are huge favourites. However, in this Australian team, there are six or seven players who have played Test cricket before. This series will be a much closer fight than what people think. I hope Australia doesn’t pick too many left handers — that will be playing into the hands of Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin."
He believes that the visiting Aussies are better players than England were. Lauding Steve Smith’s captaincy, Warne said, “Steve Smith is a quiet, confident captain. Its easy to write Australia off, but they are a better side than England. They have more string in their bows, better equipped to handle the conditions and have a more balanced side." Taking a swipe at Alastair Cook’s captaincy during the series, Warne said, "Smith is a more imaginative captain".
Cook has, since the 4-0 washout in India, stepped down from Test captaincy.
Warne called for Australian skipper Steven Smith to go into the Test series with a positive mindset. "I do like to see people like Glenn Maxwell and Marsh brothers on their side. They should go into the series with an attacking mindset. Australia must take the challenge to India. They need to take some risks. In my view, this is the best approach to win the series."
He urged Aussie team management to consider taking a risk and play uncapped leg spinner Mitchell Swepson in place of Steve O'Keefe. "Swepson spins the ball. He has got to be given a chance. He really is a wonderful spinner. But I know that will not happen."
He revealed that he was a huge admirer of Indian captain Virat Kohli and in the ongoing debate of who was the better batsman — Kohli or Smith — Warne had no hestitation in proclaiming that, for him, without any doubt, Kohli was the number one batsman in the world. "He is dominant, with a swagger reminiscent of Viv Richards. He has instilled a toughness in the Indian team. I am a big fan of Virat Kohli."
