Former Australia coach John Buchanan believes that India’s hopes of securing a historic third consecutive Test series win in Australia will largely hinge on the performance of their batting lineup. Buchanan, who oversaw Australia’s dominance in world cricket during the early 2000s, emphasized the importance of how India’s top-order batsmen, including the “ageing” stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, handle Australia’s formidable pace attack.
“For the first time since 1991-92, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the opening game scheduled to be played at Perth from November 22,” Buchanan noted, pointing out the historical significance of the upcoming tour.
Australia’s Formidable Bowling Lineup
Buchanan, speaking after the launch of the ‘Ready Steady Go Kids’ multi-sport program at the CP Goenka International School, praised Australia’s current bowling lineup. He highlighted how, despite losing to India in the last series, Australia’s pace attack, backed by all-rounders like Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh, remains “really, really powerful.”
“Australia, since losing to India in the last series, the pace bowling attack with Lyon, backed up now by Cameron Green or Mitch Marsh, is just a really, really powerful bowling lineup,” Buchanan said, emphasizing the challenge that lies ahead for the Indian batsmen.
The Role of India’s Top Order
Buchanan stressed that India’s success in the series would depend heavily on their top-order batsmen, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and possibly Shreyas Iyer. He explained that these batsmen must perform well to set up substantial totals, which would then allow India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, to come into their own.
“India’s top order, Jaiswal, Sharma himself, Kohli, possibly Iyer… they’ve got to bat really well to establish totals and then the likes of Bumrah, Shami, Siraj will come into their own,” Buchanan stated.
Ageing Stars and Their Impact
Addressing the issue of ageing players, Buchanan noted that both India and Australia have a significant number of senior players, but he dismissed concerns that this would diminish the competitiveness of the series.
“I looked at the ages, and India has got some ageing players in that side, notably Rohit who’s 37 and Kohli is 35, Ashwin, if he tours, he’s 37, and you look at the Australian side, there’s only one or two players who are under 30,” Buchanan observed.
He added that the series would once again be a battle between the top-order batsmen of both teams and their ability to handle the pace and bounce of Australian pitches, especially in conditions that might offer seam and swing, such as during the day-night Test in Adelaide.
The Key to Victory: Batting for Long Periods
Buchanan emphasized that for India to win the series, it would be crucial for them to bat for long periods, as this would tire out the Australian bowling attack. He referenced Cheteshwar Pujara’s monumental efforts during the 2018-19 series, where the Indian batsman faced 1,258 balls, and his continued resilience in the 2020-21 series, where he faced 928 balls.
“If India can not only bat well but bat for long periods of time, then it will test the physical capacities of that Australian bowling attack, and therein potentially lies a little bit of a key to how India can look at winning the series,” Buchanan explained.
Challenges of Preparation
Buchanan also highlighted the challenges faced by touring teams, particularly the lack of preparation time before a series begins. He noted that India, like many other teams, would have minimal time to adjust to the conditions in Australia, which could pose difficulties, especially in venues like Perth, known for its fast and bouncy pitches.
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“Travelling teams no longer have that preparation in a country. They don’t play two or three games prior to playing the first Test match to adjust to a country, because nobody wants to tour for that long,” Buchanan said.
Steve Smith as an Opener?
Buchanan also weighed in on the ongoing debate about Steve Smith’s role in the Australian lineup, particularly the idea of him opening the batting. Buchanan was not in favor of this change, stating, “Not personally. He’s made his mark at No 4. But I’m not a selector, and I’m not the captain, and I’m not Steve Smith, and so those three people will end up making the decision that they think best fits the make-up of that side.”
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