Australia pace legend Glenn McGrath is betting on the home team to come good in the remaining two Tests against India.

His optimism stems from the fact that David Warner will be back and his aggressive style will rub on his teammates and provide them the intent to play positive cricket.

“I’m always going to back Australia no matter what. India’s bowling is lacking a bit of experience with Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav injured but we’ve got to wait and see. If Warner can bat well, it can have a positive effect on the rest of the batsmen,” McGrath said on Wednesday.

The former fast bowler is, however, disappointed with the attitude of the Australian batsmen.

“They were timid rather than being dominant over the bowlers. When you have batsmen looking to survive on pitches that offer a little bit to the bowlers, then it’s only a matter of time before they get out. Look at the way Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja batted. Those guys showed what should be done,” he said in response to a query from The Telegraph.

“The way Bumrah has bowled in this series is amazing, I am his big fan. I’ve spoken to him a few times and I like the way he thinks and the way he goes about his task.”

McGrath also lauded Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership. “I had thought Australia would dominate from Adelaide with Virat Kohli going home. Sometimes when the main player goes, others try to make most of the opportunity. Ajinkya Rahane goes about his business very different to Virat and I’ve enjoyed the way he’s doing it his own way rather than thinking I’m here for two Tests. He leads from the front like Virat but in a different manner.”

McGrath thinks the aggression is missing from the series because of friendly relations between the players.

“A bit of chat is fine out there but the main difference has been the IPL. All of a sudden you are not coming up against the opposition.

“When I played against Sachin, Viru or VVS they were my opposition. All of a sudden in the IPL they are my teammates. You get to know them as people and cricketers and all are very friendly. In this series the way they are interacting on the field is like having a laugh at each other rather than exchanging a few words or getting aggressive. As both teams are giving it their all, I don’t mind them being friendly but not too friendly,” he remarked.

The third Test — to be telecast live on Sony Six, Sony Ten1 and Sony Ten3 from 5 am on Thursday — will be the annual Pink Test as part of McGrath Foundation’s initiative to support and create awareness about breast cancer.

McGrath is looking forward to the Ravichandran Ashwin versus Steve Smith battle. “Ashwin has been bowling incredibly well this series and the Australians haven’t really come up with an answer against him. Smith has got out a couple of times to him. That’s been a big battle. The thing is Smith not having an impact in the Tests so far after the way he played in the one-dayers... After the IPL he had said he found his hands, whatever that means... It worked in ODIs.

“Being back at the SCG, he might find his hands again but that’s going to be the big battle... how he faces up to Ashwin. But that’s not to leave out the rest, especially Bumrah.”