After India thrashes Australia in the first Test, Sunil Gavaskar makes the audacious statement, “Either Smith or Labuschagne have to…

Sunil Gavaskar, a renowned batsman, has issued a strong warning to the visitors ahead of the second match in New Delhi after Rohit Sharma and Co. destroyed Pat Cummins’ Australia in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Saturday. At the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, India crushed Australia because of a superb century from seasoned opener Rohit and the valor of Ravindra Jadeja.

Following captain Cummins’ decision to bat on a turning Nagpur surface after winning the toss, the visiting Australia team lost for 177 in the first innings. The bowler of choice in the first innings was the all-arounder Jadeja (5/47) while the master of spin Ravichandran Ashwin claimed a five-wicket haul in Australia’s second essay. Before Team India, spearheaded by Ashwin, knocked out Australia for 91 in 32.3 overs in Nagpur, the Indian captain Rohit slammed a historic century.

Former Indian captain Gavaskar projected that the four-match series between the two top-ranked teams will end with a score of 4-0 in light of India’s professional performance in the first Test. Gavaskar said in an interview with India Today during the first Test that Australia is highly reliant on the batting efforts of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. “I think the final score will be 4-0. Australia needs a strong start in the second Test given how they lost. Marnus Labuschagne or Steve Smith must score enough runs. In the absence of it, the Indian team would claim a 4-0 series victory “India Today quoted Gavaskar.

The highest scorer for Australia in the first innings of the visitors was the No. 1 hitter in the world Labuschagne’s 49 runs. Former Australian captain Smith played a calm inning of 37 off 107 balls in Australia’s first essay at Nagpur, and he finished the second innings undefeated on 25 off 51 balls. Smith’s heroic effort was futile, however, as India won the first Test by innings and 132 runs. Indian all-rounder Jadeja was named the Player of the Match for his all-around show. India will meet Australia in the 2nd Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 17.