Former Australia National Cricket Team skipper Michael Clarke has issued a massive warning to the Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team ahead of the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Michael Clarke has predicted that the modern-day batting great Steve Smith will smash a double century in the Melbourne Cricket Ground Test match against Rohit Sharma-led side.
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I am gonna go Steve Smith for Australia’s leading run scorer in the Test match – Michael Clarke
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke predicted Smith to score big and finish as the leading run-getter for Australia in the fourth Test match.
“I think Steve Smith will make a double hundred. I am gonna go Steve Smith for Australia’s leading run scorer in the Test match,” he said.
Smith has not been at his very best in Test cricket for quite some time. He started off the series against India poorly, registering scores of 0 and 17 in the Perth Test.
In the Adelaide Test also, Steve Smith failed as he scored just 2 runs in the only innings he batted. However, he bounced back strong in the Brisbane Test and smashed a brilliant century in the first innings.
Overall, the star batsman has scored 124 runs in 5 innings at an average of 24.80 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
I am going (with) the skipper Rohit Sharma, big hundred – Michael Clarke
Clarke also believes that 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 am going (with) the skipper Rohit Sharma, big hundred. I think he likes the MCG. I think it will suit his game. I think he’s going to walk out there and play his shots. I am going with the skipper for India to lead the way for India,” Clarke said
India skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled in Test cricket for a long period of time, and his performances have been a huge cause of concern for the Indian team.
While batting at his new position, No.6, after sacrificing the opening spot for KL Rahul, Rohit has registered scores of 3, 6, and 10, making it a total of 19 runs at an average of 6.33.
He’s just been the standout bowler in both teams – Michael Clarke
Clarke also made his prediction regarding the performance of the bowlers and said that the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be the top wicket-taker for India and Nathan Lyon will pick most wickets for Australia.
“Bumrah, India’s leading wicket-taker. He’s just been the standout bowler in both teams. He’s just been the standout, and he looks so dangerous. He looks like he can take a wicket every ball. So I am going to go with Bumrah as the leading wicket-taker for India. For Australia, I am going to say it’s Nathan Lyon’s turn,” Clarke said.
Notably, Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in BGT 2024-25 with 21 scalps in his bag while the superstar spinner Nathan Lyon has picked just 3 wickets.
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