Matthew Hayden reckons Kohli will score big in the next two Tests

With two Tests done and dusted and two more to go, the Test series between India and Australia is levelled at one apiece. Midway through the series, it has already produced some of the best cricket that one would ever hope to see. Many cricketing legends of both the countries have poured their opinions on the riveting battle that took place.

Matthew Hayden, the former Australian cricketer who is doing the commentary for the Test matches, spoke to TOI about his views on the performances of the two teams so far.

He praised the Australian team for their determination on the tour despite being whitewashed in Sri Lanka last year and believed that Matt Renshaw’s grit at the top of the order has made the difference in batting.

“The series has been excellent in spite of once again being played on substandard pitches. These teams have fought extremely hard, particularly in the second Test match. For Australia, Matt Renshaw has made the difference in this series. He has absorbed enormous pressure on difficult batting conditions and for a man of just 20 years, he has shown class and maturity.”

When asked about the comparison of Renshaw with himself, he had this to say, “Yes, the batting style and posture are identical. But I believe Matt will do it his way and will improve in all conditions around the world with time and experience.”

The former opening batsman was not too impressed by the pitches that have been presented so far and believed that India is fully capable of winning matches that don’t offer turn from day one.

“I have already said that the Test matches were on substandard pitches. It’s strange because India are good enough to play on good surfaces which naturally break up and start to turn. The fact that Lyon took eight in the first innings of a Test match says it all”, he said.

India’s skipper Virat Kohli has had a torrid time with the bat so far in the series and has failed to contribute substantially in any of the 4 innings. But Hayden reckoned that for a class player like him, a big score is just around the corner.

“I am not worried that Virat hasn’t got the big runs yet. He is class and his time will come in the next two Test matches. But don’t forget the partnership that Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara had in the second Test. In the end, it wasn’t exactly a Laxman-Dravid run-feast (at Eden Gardens in 2001), but in the context of the game and series was equally important”, he added.

The third test will begin on March 16 at the JSCA stadium in Ranchi which will be the first ever Test at the venue.