Pune: India’s captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir after New Zealand won the second test cricket match against India, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Pune, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
Former Australia captain Tim Paine has put the Indian Test side under the scanner after their loss to New Zealand in the three-match home Test series, just before India tour Australia for five Tests.
“No. They (New Zealand) are not very good. Is that harsh? Unbelievable performance, no doubt about that. But that makes me worry a little about India, totally honest,” Paine said on The Grade Cricketer Podcast.
He added, “Coming to Australia, without Mohammed Shami as well, but New Zealand have always been an amazing team at scrapping and getting the best out of themselves if you make a mistake. And I think, India made far too many mistakes in the series. New Zealand’s catching was unbelievable, hats off to them but if they were to play Australia in Australia right now, is it going to go well for them? No.”
For the much-awaited Test series down under, Paine has backed Australia as the favorites especially terming the home side’s batting as a key differentiator between the two sides.
“Australia are going to start pretty strong favourites. I think India have not been playing pretty well, their batting looks a little brittle. So, Australia’s batting does not look amazing in terms of output, but we know they have got the quality,” Tim Paine said on The Grade Cricketer Podcast.
Tim Paine (left) was Australia’s captain during India’s last tour Down Under, when the visitors went on to miraculously turn things around after being demolished in the first Test in Adelaide. (AP)
Last week, Rohit Sharma and Co lost the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune – a defeat that marked their first ever home series loss since 2012.
Paine believes if India are to turn the tide against Australia, the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami – if he can make the cut – will play a huge role.
“Shami is going to be a huge difference, Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it’s curtains for me,” he added.
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First uploaded on: 29-10-2024 at 18:16 IST
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