Michael Clarke compares India-Australia rivalry with that of Ashes

Michael Clarke, in a recent interview, compared the Ind0-Australian rivalry with the traditional rivalry Australia and England for the Ashes. Clarke undertook the statement with help of his experience. Clarke also feels that the advent of T20 has not necessarily jeopardized the future of Test cricket.

India and Australia, in the past couple of decades, have undergone a new-formed rivalry. An Indo-Australian series without a verbal spat or controversies in largely unheard of. Be it the ‘monkey-gate’ or ‘brain fade’ incident, the two teams have seen it all.

“Being an Australian, I have relished the battle for the Ashes with England, but having played against India in India and also back home, I can tell you that an India-Australia series is no different,” commented Michael Clarke according to TOI.

“The contests have become more intense, as you would expect when two top teams in the world go hard at each other. Also, with top Australian players spending so much time in India because of IPL, I expect more great contests in future,” further added the former Australian captain. Clarke was then quizzed about the adverse affects T20 on Test cricket with players opting to quit Tests to prefer franchise cricket.

On shorter formats of the game adversely affecting Test Cricket

“I don’t quite agree. What is happening is a lot of senior players are opting out of the longer format at the back end of their careers. AB de Villiers has played over 100 Tests. JP Duminy too has been around for a while. I haven’t heard of a junior player who doesn’t want to play Test cricket,” affirmed Clarke.

“I think the shorter formats, including the T20 franchise leagues, have contributed enormously to the growth of the game. Without T20 cricket, we might not have seen a David Warner or a Hardik Pandya,” concluded the 36-year old.