Former Australian national cricket team captain Michael Clarke He issued a major warning to the Rohit Sharma-led Indian national cricket team ahead of the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Michael Clarke has predicted that modern-day batsman great Steve Smith will smash a double century in the Melbourne Cricket Test match against the Rohit Sharma-led side.
I'd pick Steve Smith for Australia's top run-scorer in a Test match – Michael Clarke
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke predicted Smith would score big and finish as Australia's leading run-getter in the fourth Test match.
“I think Steve Smith will make a double hundred. I would pick Steve Smith as the top run-scorer for Australia in a Test match,” he said.
Smith has not been at his best in Test cricket for some time. He started off series Against India poorly, scoring scores of 0 and 17 in the Perth Test.
In the Adelaide Test too, Steve Smith failed as he scored just two runs in the only innings he batted. However, he bounced back strongly in the Brisbane Test and smashed a brilliant century in the first innings.
Overall, the star batsman scored 124 runs in 5 innings at an average of 24.80 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy for 2024-25.
I will go (with) skipper Rohit Sharma, Michael Clarke
Clarke also believes India captain Rohit Sharma will hit a century in the fourth Test against the Aussies as the conditions in Melbourne will suit his batting style.
“I will go (with) skipper Rohit Sharma, the big hundred. I think he likes the MCG. I think it will suit his game. I think he will go out there and play his shots. I will go with the skipper for India to lead the way for India,” Clarke said.
India captain Rohit Sharma has struggled in Test cricket for a long period of time and his performance has been a major cause of concern for the Indian team.
While batting at his new position, No. 6, after sacrificing the opening position to KL Rahul, Rohit scored scores of 3, 6 and 10, making a total of 19 runs at an average of 6.33.
He was the standout player on both teams – Michael Clarke
Clarke also gave his expectations regarding the performance of the bowlers and said that the pace of the bowlers is the spearhead Jasprit Bumrah He will be the top wicket taker for India and Nathan Lyon will pick the most wickets for Australia.
“Bumrah, India's leading wicket-taker. He was just an outstanding bowler in both difference. He stood out, and looked very dangerous. It looks like he can take a wicket on every ball. So I will pick Bumrah as India's leading wicket-taker. “For Australia, I would say it's Nathan Lyon's role,” Clarke said.
It is worth noting that Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in BGT 2024-25 with 21 scalps in his bag while star spinner Nathan Lyon has picked just 3 wickets.
