MUMBAI: The upcoming four-Test rubber against Australia is India’s best opportunity to win a series Down Under, feels former Australia skipper Ian Chappell.
“The Indian players should think that this is their best chance to win in Australia. They (Australian) are very young. The Australian team may have good days, but they are very inconsistent,” he said during a panel discussion at the Raj Singh Dungarpur World Cricket Summit on Monday.
Chappell named flamboyant Indian opener Virender Sehwag and experienced seamer Zaheer Khan as the players, who could play a critical role for India in the series.
“Sehwag is the sort of player, who would keep the opposition bowlers awake at night. He scores quickly and makes big runs. Zaheer has the habit of taking early wickets and taking five-wicket hauls. Both give their team maximum time to win a Test,” he said.
The noted cricket commentator said, the major worry for Australia was the injuries to key players.
“One of the main concerns for Australia is injuries. Their players have suffered ridiculous number of injuries. Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins to name some.”
He was also of the view that former skipper Ricky Ponting should soon take a decision on his retirement, before the selectors are forced to drop him.
Kapil said India would have to show a lot of commitment to do well in Australia.
“I would like to see commitment from everyone. The entire country is obsessed about whether Sachin (Tendulkar) will get his 100th hundred or not, whereas the question should be whether India can win or not.
“If they don’t have such commitment, India won’t be able to do well. The senior cricketers have to push and start getting things done from youngsters. It is the history of Indian cricket that those, who are out of form, regain form against India,” he cautioned.
Brearley said, the Australian team, which is undergoing a transitional phase, will make a comeback soon. “They are not an established strong team and are in the process of uncertainty. But, they are a fairly determined group of people. They would come back hard and perhaps achieve better results,” he said. (PTI)
