The fact that Australia don't bat deep is a big plus for India: Mohammad Azharuddin

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin is also among the many experts who believe that the upcoming tour of Australia will be the chance for them to win a series down under. Azharuddin, who was the captain when India toured Australia in 1991-92 and lost four out of five Tests is confident that they can certainly oust the Kangaroos in their den to create history.

When Azhar was the captain of the team, fortunes didn’t favour the Indian team at all. Ravi Shastri, who is currently the coach of the Indian team, plundered a double century at Sydney and a young Sachin Tendulkar scored his first ever hundred on the Australian soil. Former Australian great Richie Benaud rates that innings as one of the greatest. The Adelaide Oval also saw Azharuddin having hit a hundred.

The 55-year old admitted that India have all the bases covered and during his time when the bowling used to click, the batting didn’t.

“Of course, there is a very good chance of beating Australia. But they have to play very hard. In our time, because whenever the bowling clicked, the batting didn’t, and when the batsmen got the runs, the bowlers didn’t deliver. We came pretty close to winning in Sydney and Adelaide,” Azharuddin was quoted as saying by Mid-day.

He also added that “I really wish that the current Indian team can win this time. The Australian team do not bat deep which is a big plus for us.”

Team India has developed an impressive bowling arsenal to choose from. Right from the South Africa tour to the English tour, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav have produced match-winning performances, however, an overseas series win has eluded the Men in Blue.

I would pick Umesh to partner Bumrah in every Test

The Indian team has had quite a dilemma with plenty of bowling options. More often than not Umesh Yadav had to sit out in favour of a Jasprit Bumrah who only plays overseas Tests. When asked which two pace bowlers he would pick in every test, Azhar said: “There are some fitness issues, but Umesh looks strong and well-built. I will pick Jasprit Bumrah to partner him in every test. I wonder if Bhuvneshwar Kumar is fit. He’s a good bowler but may not have pace to create big problems for the Australians”.

Azhar also reckoned that India should field two spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, apart from three pacers.

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