Last Update: January 17th, 2023, 08:00 AM IST
Pat Cummins has a big challenge ahead. (AP Photo)
It has been over 18 years since Australia won a Test series in India and they will have a chance to end the drought next month
There are about three weeks left before Australia take on the challenge India on tour where they will clash with their famous opponents in the first four test match series. Their back-to-back series wins at home against West Indies and South Africa would have boosted their confidence, but India is a different ball game where spinners play a major role in deciding the final result.
Australia have provided for this by loading up their Test squad with four specialist spinners including the experienced Nathan Lyon, who will have Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and greenhorn Todd Murphy for company.
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Apart from this, Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins can call Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head if needed.
However, Adam Gilchrist, the last Australian captain to taste a Test series win on Indian soil, has advised the team not to go overboard and instead asked them to be patient.
Gilchrist, who was the stand-in captain for the 2004 tour when Australia won 2–1, made history with the pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz and the only specialist spinner in Shane Warne. relied on his frontline attack to secure victory. ,
Fox Sports quoted Gilchrist as saying, “What we tried to change with our mindset at that time – and I’ll be interested to see if the Aussies do it this time – don’t go searching and just play the spinners.” out.” ,
“Attack the stumps from ball one. Lower your pride a bit, go from defensive to aggressive… start with a slip, start with catching at mid-wicket, get the fielders out to the boundary to eliminate the option of boundary, but take the catch Keep a couple of guys – either at short cover or short mid-wicket – and just be patient,” he said.
Gilchrist, however, is quite hopeful that Australia can win the Test series this time. “I think they will do it (win the series). I really am. I think they have a team and playing XI which will be very similar to the team we came out with in 2004.”
However, Gilchrist has a caveat.
“So often teams go to India expecting some new spinner to be unveiled who is going to come and adapt and dazzle in India – that doesn’t really happen. Pick your best four bowlers, run with them – and if it’s three fast bowlers who can get really good reserve swing and Nathan Lyon, who’s outstanding and clearly the best off-spinner we’ve ever had, Can play its role – this is my adventurous spirit. You do this, you go with it,” he said.
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