Hussey also spoke about the future of ODI cricket format.
Former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey said that having a T20I series between India and Australia right after the World Cup 2023 has kind of made the five-match showdown less special.
Hussey was disappointed about how quickly the T20I series started—just four days after both teams played in the 2023 World Cup final on November 19. The ex-Australian cricketer also slammed the scheduling of the international calendar, saying it's just not "possible" for players to be a part of all the tournaments or series.
Michael Hussey said on SEN Radio: “I certainly feel like this T20 series has been devalued. It doesn’t cheapen the World Cup but it certainly cheapens this series. It’s just amazing how much (cricket boards) pack on a calendar to play so much cricket. It is physically and mentally impossible to play all of the tournaments that are going on.”
Meanwhile, Australia is currently trailing 1-2 in the ongoing five-match T20I series against India, and Hussey said that the touring side is not the best one to challenge the hosts on their home soil.
He added, “There would be a number of guys who were at the World Cup (for both nations) who would probably be in their T20 teams. They got home to either prepare for a Test series or simply to have a break. This is certainly not the best Australian T20 team going up against the best India T20 team.”
Hussey, however, backed the ODI format to be relevant in the future and also believes that the recent ICC World Cup 2023 was a great advertisement for ODI cricket.
He continued, “I might be in the minority here but I think (ODI cricket) is a great game. It caters for so many different types of players (and) over the course of the 100 overs, the better team has more of a chance to come out on top.
The last World Cup was a great advertisement for the game. There was some unbelievable cricket played. There were some stories to come out (of the World Cup) that will live for 100 years."
Notably, Australid defeated India by 6 wickets to win the World Cup 2023 trophy in Ahmedabad.
(With Firstcricket Inputs)