According to Ian Chappell, a former captain of Australia cricket team, Pat Cummins and the rest of the team would have a very difficult time winning the upcoming test series against India, which will begin on February 9.
Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo that Steve Smith is the only Australian batsman who currently has an average of more than 30 on Indian tracks. With the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowling in tandem, the bowling threat from India can turn out to be extremely overwhelming for the other batsmen. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowling in tandem can turn out to be extremely overwhelming for the other batsmen.
“Smith, with his score of 60, is the only current Australia batter on the tour who has an average in India of more than 30.
Chappell noted that it would be difficult for the Australian batsmen to achieve batting success if Ravindra Jadeja and the extremely effective R Ashwin worked together to bowl successfully. This would make the challenge even more difficult for the Australian hitters.
In addition, Chappell issued a caution over the Australian bowling assault, with the primary responsibility falling on spinner Nathan Lyon.
He noted that with regard to the Indian batsmen, the foreign team will need to devise an appropriate strategy in order to ensure that the players do not experience any loss of confidence.
“Then there’s the spin department in Australia,” you say. Nathan Lyon is the only performer who has been demonstrated to be reliable, although even he averages more over 30 in India.
Lyon believes that he has developed as a bowler while playing in the subcontinent. However, his support comes from bowlers like Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson, who are both untested prospects.
“Australia must resist any temptation to select bowlers based on whether they bowl right- or left-handed and instead focus on selecting the best bowlers for the current conditions.
What they have accomplished in India should help them maintain a healthy level of humility over their fast bowlers.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc all have a batting average in India that is higher than 30, and in order for them to achieve better results in India, they will need to particularly demonstrate improved old-ball nous, as he explained. “Australia’s big three” all have batting averages in India that are higher than 30.
India
