Ghavri backs Kohli- led India to hold the fort

Former Test pacer Karsan Ghavri

expects beaten Australia to fight back in the remainder of the

four-match rubber starting with the second Test at Perth, but

backed the Virat Kohli-led India to hold the fort.

He also hailed Cheteshwar Pujara, who pulled the

chestnuts out of the fire with a battling century in the

Indian first innings of the opening skirmish at Adelaide and

followed it up with another half century to help the visitors

consolidate, as the "Indian Wall".

"We are up 1-0 in Australia right now and there are

three more Tests to go. But I will not be surprised (if) there

will be a big fight on the field from the Australian team.

They (Australia) will fight back. But I can tell you, we

(India) have an upper hand. We have an advantage of being a

great team," the former left-arm pacer told PTI on Tuesday.

India gave wings to their quest for a maiden series

a win in Australia with a 31-run victory in the opening Test in

Adelaide, they're first in the country since 2008 on Monday.

On the contribution of Pujara, declared the man of the

match at Adelaide, Ghavri said, "Cheteshwar Pujara is the wall

(of Indian cricket) after Rahul Dravid. He is the Indian wall

like the China Wall (referring to the Great Wall of China).

For Indian cricket, in Tests, Cheteshwar Pujara is the

wall of India."

"His (Pujara's) wicket is a very prized wicket one in

Test cricket. Like when Rahul Dravid used to play, his wicket

was a prized wicket (for the opposition). Today Indian

cricket can depend on him (Pujara) and as long as he delivers

the goods, it's great for Indian cricket," said the

67-year-old Ghavri who also hails from Saurashtra like Pujara.

Ghavri, who switched over to Mumbai from Saurashtra

early in his career, had also helped Pujara during the

latter's fledgeling days.

"Personally I feel we have won this Test in Australia

in Adelaide because of Pujara, his great performance. He gave

Indian bowlers (something) to bowl at as you require runs on

the board. His contribution was sizable," said Ghavri, who

was the senior in his new ball partnership with the legendary

Kapil Dev.

Ghavri, who played 39 Tests, also felt the Australian

the team was missing the banned (for ball tampering) duo of Steve

Smith and David Warner.

"I am sure they (Australia) are missing Steve Smith

and David Warner, as they were the main run-getters for

Australia in the last couple of years," the former speedster

remarked.