Former Australian coach John Buchanan also made his say on the chances of India creating history by winning a third successive Test series in Australia. Buchanan, who led Aussies during the domination of early 2000s, pointed out that India’s success might be majorly influenced by their batting lineup and how well it will cope with the much-feared pace attack of Australia.
India will now take part in a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting from November 22 at the WACA in Perth-the first such series since the 1991-92 season. Buchanan recalls that although both sides would be represented by some experienced players, this would not take away any competitiveness from the series.
Buchanan termed the Australia bowling attack, which is full of fast bowlers, and also possesses spin skills. “Australia, since their defeat to India in the last series, has strengthened their pace attack, supplemented by Nathan Lyon and either Cameron Green or Mitch Marsh,” Buchanan said at the launch of the ‘Ready Steady Go Kids’ multi-sport program at CP Goenka International School.
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“That becomes a very potent bowling unit. The top order, featuring batsmen such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and probably Shreyas Iyer, has to bat really well in order for big targets to be set up for the opposition to chase. This would give a chance for their main bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, to harass them by exploiting weaknesses.
Despite India’s victories in their last two Test tours of Australia, Buchanan believes that any psychological advantage could also be minimal in the series.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan considers Australia the favourite going into the #BorderGavaskarTrophy later in the year. @ShayanAcharya ✍️
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“While past victories were important, key players from those series-such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane-mayn’t be in the squad this time,” he says. “Current players from both sides are at points in their careers where their performance is important. Therefore, past games may have less effect.
One key ingredient of an India triumph will be how they can bat time, as Cheteshwar Pujara showed in previous series. Buchanan remembered how Pujara batted 1,258 balls during the 2018–19 series and then two years later 928 balls as a major factor in India’s series victories.
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Buchanan did, however, make a point to say just how strong Australia are when they are on home soil. Australia are good at home because of their powerful batting and experience of the conditions. He said, “Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon is one of the most fearsome quartets in world cricket. But even with their experience, the reality is that a five-Test series will be a real test of their stamina. This could also imply that when India bats long, then the Australian bowlers will be stretched to the limit, thereby giving India a chance of winning the series.”
He also mentioned the challenge that touring teams had in terms of preparation time. India will get an opportunity to play a two-day pink-ball match against the Prime Minister’s XI ahead of the first Test in Adelaide, but that may not be enough to get properly accustomed to Australian conditions
“Australia will go in as favourites,” Buchanan said. “Many touring sides, in these modern times, don’t have the preparation time they may want or need, and to start at a venue such as Perth, which boasts a fast and bouncy surface, certainly heightens the challenge.” Lastly, Buchanan had his say on the Steve Smith opener issue, indicating that Smith should bat in his usual position at No. 4. “Personally, I don’t think I’d like to see Smith open. He’s done really well at No. 4. But that’s a matter for the selectors, the skipper, and Smith himself,” he said.
