Past greats Dean Jones, Ajit Wadekar and Kapil Dev have their say on the key issues that will determine how India’s tour of Australia goes.
Past greats Dean Jones, Ajit Wadekar and Kapil Dev have their say on the key issues
DELHI: Mention India in Australia and the name that crops up the most is VVS Laxman. “I think he will be the batsman to watch out for along with Virender Sehwag,” says Dean Jones, the former Australian batsman, and he is not the only one.
“I am looking forward to VVS against Australia, he is really impressive,” adds Stuart Law, who played with Laxman for Lancashire early this season. It’s not hard to see why even a bowler of Glenn McGrath’s stature rates Laxman as the best batsman he’s ever bowled to.
He averages a massive 52.03 against what has been the World’s best bowling attack throughout his career, and 59.58 in Australia.
He has scored a big hundred in every series he’s been involved in, except the last one in India, and there’s no doubting the Aussie’s are scared of him.
Sehwag has similar form against the Australians. Like Laxman, he averages more in Australia (54.70) than he does overall against them (50.86), although both marks are impressive.
If anything, Sehwag’s inclusion is more significant, because of his lack of form and late inclusion. If he does play, then a return to his aggressive, fast-scoring best could kick start the belief in the Indian team that victory is possible.
The crucial question however seems to be the lack of bite in India’s bowling arsenal. “I am very impressed with Ishant Sharma and am looking forward to watching him bowl.
Apart from that Anil Kumble will be the main Indian bowler. But I don’t know how the Indian bowlers will take 20 wickets,” says Jones.
At the same time he is not overly concerned about Australia playing without the precise Glenn McGrath. “Shane Warne is irreplaceable but Stuart Clark will come in for McGrath,” adds Jones.
Kumble does have an almighty task on his hands, leading an Indian team that is lacking an experienced bowler with genuine pace.
His own bowling record in Australia is mixed; he averages 40 but has 8 for 141 in the first innings of his last Test in Australia as a memory to fall back on. With 121 Tests to his name, his experience will be as valuable as his bowling.
If Ajit Wadekar, who played nine Tests for India against Australia, is to be believed this is India’s best chance to actually come back with a series win. “Our team looks balanced and the batters are in good nick. This is our best chance to win a series in Australia.”
Wadekar is also not too hassled by a pace battery that’s seems to be a bit short on ammunition. “The pacers have time to recover form their injuries. Irfan (Pathan) and RP (Singh) can take advantage of the conditions which will suit them.”
However, even he plumbs for experience over speed. “We will mostly depend on Kumble and Harbhajan (Singh). Adelaide and Sydney have slow tracks and these are two venues where our spinners can do well.”
For his part, Kapil Dev makes it plain and simple.
“Australia is always tough. It’s not going to be easy and it will be a tough and hard tour. We can only wish the boys luck and hope for the best.”that will determine how India’s tour of Australia goes.
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