Johnson shares game-changing advice for Australia

After recording a famous double over Australia's Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the limited-overs format, Team India will resume their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship with the high-profile Test series against the Baggy Greens.

Hosts India will meet Pat Cummins-led Australia in the Test series opener of the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur on Thursday.

Sharing his views ahead of the blockbuster Test series, former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has explained how the visitors can put pressure back onto the hosts in the Nagpur Test.

If the Baggy Greens can manage to bat first a couple of times in the upcoming Test series, former Australian pacer Johnson feels the visitors can put Rohit Sharma-led Team India under the pump by registering decent 1st innings totals. 

The former Australian pacer and full-time cricket pundit also short-listed veteran spinner Nathan Lyon as the only noted spin bowler of the visitors.

“If the Aussies can bat first a couple of times early in the series, at venues which are expected to take a fair bit of spin, and get good first-innings totals on the board that will put a bit of pressure back onto India. The Aussies have taken over four spinners and while the Indians would respect Nathan Lyon’s experience and Test record, they wouldn’t be fearing any of them. Indian batsmen use their feet well and hit spin very correctly,” Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian.

India registered a famous 172-run win over Australia at Nagpur back in 2008. Johnson spearheaded the Australian pace attack alongside Brett Lee at the time. The former Australian speedster only managed to take a solitary wicket in the Nagpur Test. However, his then-teammate Jason Krejza emerged as the pick of the bowlers with 12 wickets.

“Australia will play a Test in Nagpur this week for the first time since 2008, when Jason Krejza took 12 wickets. Expect a pitch that is very flat early and without any grass. There won’t be much swing either and it will be very tough work for the quicks. Lyon with his ability to find extra bounce should like bowling in a Test in Nagpur for the first time,” Johnson added._Hindustan Times