Ravi Shastri echoes Mike Hussey's words ahead of Australia tour

After losing the Test series in England and South Africa, Team India has embarked on their last tough tour of the year. Australia is supposed to be the toughest country to win the series and the visitors, for the first time, are being touted as the favourites to trump the home side. Australia are in disarray at the moment and this is the best chance for India to register their first ever series victory in the country. However, the coach Ravi Shastri is worried about the absence of the all-rounder in the team and is missing Hardik Pandya on the tour.

Hardik is currently recovering from the lower-back injury he sustained during the Asia Cup in September. Though he couldn’t live up to the expectations in England Tests, the all-rounder took a sensational five-wicket haul in the third game which helped India make a comeback in the series.

But Pandya lends balance to the team and Virat Kohli has time and again backed the youngster to come good ever since he has forayed at the international level.

He gives balance to the side

Ravi Shastri, while speaking to the reporters during India’s warm-up session at the Gabba, regretted Hardik Pandya’s injury ahead of the important tour. He highlighted how Pandya’s presence helps them to play an extra bowler. “One player we’ll really miss is Hardik Pandya, who’s had an injury because he gives that balance to the side as a bowler and a batsman which allows you to play that extra bowler.

“Now we’ve got to think twice, but hopefully our fast bowlers do well and we don’t miss him that much,” India’s head coach said. Shastri, in a way, has echoed Michael Hussey’s words who had earlier expressed that Pandya would’ve been the key player for India on this tour.

“I think Hardik is a wonderful talent and I am sure his game style would have been suited to the Australian conditions. Add to that, the balance he offers the team with his all-round abilities, yes I think his absence will hurt India,” Hussey had said.

[interaction id=”5bea2e90e0fa026ce964ca94″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.