Hayden says the Australian conditions are likely to throw up a different kind of contest for India. (Reuters/PTI)
The 0-3 shellacking at the hands of New Zealand may have exposed all kinds of problem areas for the Indian Test team ahead of their crucial tour of Australia, but former opener Matthew Hayden says that the series whitewash is “irrelevant” in the context of the upcoming five-match series that kicks off in Perth on November 22.
India had not lost a series at home since 2012, a run that lasted for 18 series, before New Zealand outplayed them last month. The Kiwis’ ruthless display highlighted the Indian batting’s weaknesses against spin and to play the long game, but Hayden says the Australian conditions are likely to throw up a different kind of contest.
“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.”
The series defeat at home is not the only problem that has blighted their preparations for the series. The Indian Express have reported that India’s no. 3 batsman, Shubman Gill, will miss the first Test in Perth after suffering a fractured thumb, further complicating a batting order that will also be missing opener and captain Rohit Sharma for the series opener.
With the rest of their batting lineup inexperienced, pressure will then rise on KL Rahul, who is likely to open in place of Rohit, and out-of-form Virat Kohli to carry the responsibility at the top of the order for the visitors in the first Test.
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