IND vs AUS: Indian players will feel extra pressure in absence of Kohli says the former Australian Skipper

Before India vs Australia clash, Ricky Ponting, a prolific batsman and a quick-witted captain in his days for Australia, feels the Indian team will be unclear about their batting order. As Virat is set to return back home after playing the First Test match.

The Indian Skipper has been granted a paternity leave to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
Ponting while speaking to www.cricket.au said “India will feel that pressure without Kohli there (for three Tests)
or his batting and leadership, that’ll put all sorts of pressure on different players.”

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On what will be a further cause of worry for the Indians he further added “You’d think Ajinkya Rahane will take over the captaincy. which will put extra pressure on him, and they’ve got to find someone to bat at that really important No.4 spot.”

Indian middle-order crisis hasn’t been completely solved yet. Many cricket pundits believe, it was the reason why India failed at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

The former Australian great feels, India will struggle in a first Test match as well and said “I don’t think they’ll be clear in their own mind, even now, what their batting order will look like for the first Test. ..Who’s going to open, who’ll bat at four when Kohli goes?”

On December 17, India will play the first Test match at Adelaide Oval, with pink Kookaburra ball. However, there are reports of a possible transfer of venue to MCG or SCG.