Wrist spinners will play a major role in the series: Ashton Agar

Australian spin-bowling all-rounder Ashton Agar has revealed that spinners will play an integral role in the five-match ODI series against India. 23-year-old Agar said wrist spinners like Adam Zampa and Yuzvendra Chahal could have a serious impact on this series because they don’t have to depend on the pitch to extract spin. Agar, who made his Test debut in the 2013 Ashes against England and scored 98 batting at No.11 looks extremely upbeat to make a comeback after a long time. Having featured in the recently concluded Bangladesh Test series.

The two teams play the series opener in Chennai this Sunday. The MA Chidambaram pitch at the warm-up game earlier this week assisted the spinners but it still remains to be seen if Australia will field two spinners in the first ODI. The lanky left-arm spinner, however, is uncertain but said there was a possibility of him figuring in the playing XI along with Zampa.

Speaking to the media ahead of Australia’s training session, Agar said, “They (leggies) are a really valuable asset in limited-overs cricket because they can spin the ball both ways.”

“They don’t need more of the spin friendly wicket to spin the ball and they are all pretty clever, the three leg spinners –- Chahal, especially Zamps, with his slider and wrong ‘un, he’s got a lot of different balls and he knows when to use them. It will be Interesting to see how they play out,” the left-arm orthodox bowler added.

Australia playing mind games with India

In the interim, Australia has started off with their mind games by claiming an advantage after Shikhar Dhawan pulled out of the first three matches for personal reasons. With two centuries against Australia and an average of 44.71, Shikhar Dhawan was expected to propel India to quick starts with long-time ODI partner Rohit Sharma. “Shikhar is in good form, so him not playing is a positive for us,” added Ashton Agar.

Dhawan’s pullout has left the India team management mulling for last-minute changes. It also implies that India will have Axar Patel as the only recognized left-hand batsman, making Australia’s bowling strategy a tad bit easier.