Former Australian national cricket team captain Michael Clarke has issued a massive warning to the Rohit Sharma-led Indian national cricket team ahead of the fourth Test match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Michael Clarke has predicted that modern-day batting great Steve Smith will smash a double century in the Melbourne Cricket Ground Test match against the Rohit Sharma-led team.
I'll go Steve Smith for Australia's leading scorer in the test match – Michael Clarke
Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke predicted Smith to score big and finish as Australia's leading run-getter in the fourth Test match.
“I think Steve Smith will get a double hundred. I will go for Steve Smith for Australia's highest run-scorer in the Test match,” he said.
Smith has not been at his best in Test cricket for some time. He started the series against India badly, posting scores of 0 and 17 in the Perth Test.
Also in the Adelaide Test, Steve Smith failed as he scored only 2 runs in the only innings he batted. However, he made a strong comeback 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 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
I'm going (with) captain Rohit Sharma, big hundred – 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'm going (with) skipper Rohit Sharma, a big hundred. I think he likes the MCG. I think it will suit his game. I think he'll go there and play the shots. I'm going with the skipper for India to pave the way for India,” Clarke said
India skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled in Test cricket for a long time and his performances have been a big cause of concern for the Indian team.
While batting at his new position, No.6, after sacrificing the opening slot to KL Rahul, Rohit registered scores of 3, 6 and 10, making his total 19 runs at an average of 6 ,33.
It has just been the outstanding bowler in both teams – Michael Clarke
Clarke also gave his prediction on the performance of the bowlers and said that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will be the best wicket taker for India and Nathan Lyon will pick the most wickets- uri for Australia.
“Bumrah, India's greatest wicket-taker. He was simply the outstanding bowler in both teams. It was most outstanding and looks so dangerous. Looks like he can take a wicket every ball. So I will go with Bumrah as the leading wicket taker for India. For Australia, I'll say it's Nathan Lyon's turn,” Clarke said.
Remarkably, Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in BGT 2024-25 with 21 scalps in the bag, while superstar spinner Nathan Lyon picked just 3 wickets.