BRISBANE: AUSTRALIA, under new captain Steve Smith, take a one-nil series lead over India into tomorrow’s second Test in Brisbane where they have not lost a Test in 26 years.
Smith, at just 25, was anointed yesterday as Australia’s 45th Test skipper after Michael Clarke suffered a fresh hamstring injury in the 48-run victory in Adelaide and was ruled out for the rest of the four-match series.
The Australians have proved formidable in steamy Brisbane where the pace and bounce of the Gabba wicket troubles touring sides, none more so than India who have not won in five attempts.
Australia’s last Gabba Test loss was against the Viv Richards-led West Indies by nine wickets in 1988.
India will also likely have a new captain with Mahendra Singh Dhoni expected to return to the leadership role after missing the series opener to recover from a fractured thumb.
It is bitter-sweet for India with Dhoni taking the reins from stand-in skipper Virat Kohli whose twin centuries had the tourists on the cusp of a remarkable come-from-behind victory in Adelaide until a late clatter of wickets on the final day.
“I would be very happy that he (Dhoni) is going to be fit and available for the second Test,” Kohli said.
“It doesn’t matter if I have the ‘c’ in front of my name or not. That doesn’t change anything as far as my mindset is concerned.”
But former Australia Test captain Ian Chappell believes Kohli should be installed as India’s full-time skipper.
“Kohli's performance over three-and-a-half days must have tempted the selectors into thinking now is the right time to elevate him to full-time Test captaincy,” Chappell said.
“There's no doubt that M.S. Dhoni has passed his use-by-date as a Test captain, and this seems the perfect time to enact the changeover.” AFP