With the Australian cricket facing a downfall, but the head coach, Justin Langer said despite the fact that Team India is “smelling blood” but the hosts will give Virat Kohli’s men a run for their money.
Taking to Australian radio channel SEN’s Whateley, Langer said, “You sense they’re smelling blood. Just like the great Australian cricket team of 2001 felt and we just fell short (of winning in India) and we were able to (win in) 2004. You sense these moments. I’m sensing India feel that.”
In the history of Test cricket, Team India has never won a Test series Down Under and their recent overseas record has also been poor with a 1-2 loss to South Africa in February and a 1-4 defeat to England in September. However, Langer said Kohli and his men are quite good and the hosts will show respect to the visitors.
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Langer elaborated, “They’re a good team and they’ve got a couple of great players and we will show them great respect. They haven’t had great success in Australia in the past, as Australia haven’t had in India. They’ll also be under great pressure, I think…. they’re (India) up against a really talented young Australian cricket team who have got plenty to prove,” he said. “We’ve been through so much in the last nine months. We’ve been rolling our sleeves up, we’ve got plenty to prove as well.”
Talking about the XI for the opening Test, Langer said Marcus Harris is likely to make his debut but a decision is yet to be made about whether Peter Handscomb or all-rounder Mitchell Marsh will feature in the playing XI.
The coach explained, “We’re pretty sure Marcus Harris will make his debut which is very exciting for him. He’s a terrific young player and he’s looked very good in some of the most competitive net sessions I’ve seen for a long time in Australian cricket. He’s looked very composed. “We’ll make the decision on the last batting spot later today. At this stage I’d say it’ll be either Peter Handscomb or Mitchell Marsh who’ll take the five or six position.”
