Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

Australia’s squad is far better compared to the earlier one: Sachin Tendulkar | Sachin Tendulkar says Australia will be harder to beat this time

Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has pinpointed three key players from the Australian squad that could change the game. As India gears up for the first Test match in Adelaide, Tendulkar went on record and said David Warner (after the first Test), Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne are significant players, and the Indian team should watch out for Smith and Labuschagne in the pink-ball day-night match.

“From the last time that Australia played India they have got three important players. They have got Warner who is back in the team, Smith, and (Marnus) Labuschagne. This is a far better squad compared to the earlier one. When a couple of your senior members are not there, suddenly that void is felt and that is what Australia felt,” Tendulkar said in an interview with the AFP agency.

The living legend of world cricket also said that India’s bowling attack is also strong and can match the strengths of the host team. “Every era should be kept separate, I don’t like comparing,” he said when asked if this was the strongest attack India has produced. “But I can say that it (India) is a complete bowling attack. So it doesn’t matter what kind of surface you are playing on, you have got all sides covered”, he added.

Counting on Virat Kohli’s bowling options, Tendulkar said that India has players who can swing, hit the deck hard, and spin the bowl as well. “You have got bowlers who can swing the ball. When it comes to variations and awkwardness, that is also there. Someone hitting the deck hard is also there. We have got a wrist spinner, we have got finger spinners”, he said.

India will play the first Test match from December 17 to 21 in Adelaide. David Warner is out with injury, and Australia are continuing their scramble to find their opening combination.

Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.