New Delhi: Contrary to popular belief, India do begin with an advantage over Australia in the five-match Test series for the Border-Gavasker Trophy, believes Matthew Hayden.
India landed in Australia after a 0-3 drubbing to new Zealand in home soil their first Test series loss after 18 consecutive wins in 12 years.
The famed Indian batters struggled against New Zealand’s spinners, with skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat looking a pale shadow of themselves.
While Rohit is unavailable due to family reasons for the opening Test that begins in Perth on November 22. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the side.
Hayden said that India’s loss to NZ is irrelevant as the Australia series poses a very different challenge.
As India come into the series playing five-day format, they are better suited for the rigours of red-ball cricket than Australian who have warmed up with two white-ball series against Pakistan.
“It (series whitewash against New Zealand) is probably the kick up the a*se that India need,” Hayden told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Even though India copped a drubbing in that series … and were lightweight in terms of their own performance … the fact that they’ve played long format cricket is an advantage from a preparation point of view.”
Not only Rohit, India will be without No.3 batter Shubman Gill, who has suffered a finger injury in training. KL Rahul is expected to open the innings in place of Rohit.
In Rohit’s absence, pressure will be on Kohli to lead the batting line-up that needs to fire if India are to win their third successive series in Australia.
Matthew Hayden said that India’s loss to New Zeand is irrelevant as the Australia series will pose a very different challenge. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
