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Ex-Australia captain Michael Clarke has warned Rohit Sharma-led Team India ahead of fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Clarke feels that Gabba Test centurion and Australia's superstar batter Steve Smith will score a double century in the upcoming Melbourne Cricket Ground Test, which is set to be played from December 26.
Steve Smith to score a double century in MCG Test
During the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke expressed his belief that Smith will have a massive impact on the match and emerge as Australia's leading run-scorer.
“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," Clarke said in the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.
Smith has experienced a mixed bag of performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He struggled in the first two Tests, scoring 0 and 17 in the series opener Perth and only 2 runs in second match in Adelaide. However, he staged a stunning comeback and tonked a magnificent century in the Brisbane Test. Overall, Smith has accumulated 124 runs in 5 innings, averaging 24.80.
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The 43-year-old former Australia star batter believes that both Smith and Indian captain Rohit Sharma are poised for success in the Melbourne Test. He predicted that the conditions at the MCG will favor both players' batting styles.
Michael Clarke also predicts Rohit Sharma's century in 4th Test
"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 added.
Rohit is going through a form slump in the ongoing series. After handing over his opening spot to KL Rahul, Rohit has been batting at number six. However, his performances in this new position have been underwhelming, with scores of 3, 6, and 10 in his last three innings, resulting in a dismal average of 6.33.
Clarke has also given his two cents on India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. He has tipped Jasprit Bumrah to be India's leading wicket-taker, while Nathan Lyon will likely claim the 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 concluded.
Bumrah has truly been been a standout performer for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, leading the wicket-taking charts with an impressive tally of 21 scalps.
