Ahead of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, former India pacer Zaheer Khan has said that the Indian pacers' past experience of playing in Australia will hold them in good stead. Khan reckons that the veteran Ishant Sharma, who will play his fourth series on Aussie soil, will be the key for the visitors in the all-important Test series, starting on December 6.
"Looking at the Australia tour and at the fast bowling unit which is going there, you look at the five fast bowlers and most of them have been to Australia," Zaheer told Cricbuzz. "If you purely look at the Test tour to Australia, you have Ishant leading the pack, who is on his fourth tour now. So, that is something which is heaps of experience which is very important as well."
Unlike his first tour to Australia back in 2007-08, Ishant hasn’t been able to put on a good show in the next two trips. In 10 Tests Down Under, the lanky speedster has claimed 20 wickets at a forgettable average of 62.15 and a strike-rate of more than 100.
However, Zaheer feels Ishant's experience and ideas will come in handy for other bowlers in the team.
"You need not just look at numbers all the time. His numbers even though suggesting he has played about 10 games and has a higher average. Something which is going to be a vital component is the awareness in terms of planning. Talking to other bowlers as well, that is something that is going to be vital as well," he opined.
Besides Ishant, fast bowlers such as Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are part of the 18-man Test squad. Talking from his past experience, Zaheer said preparations ahead of the tour will be the key to success.
"You have Umesh touring for the third time which is going to be important. Bhuvneshwar and Shami have been to Australia before. This is their second Test tour. Shami has played about three Test matches and has picked 15 wickets,” Zaheer asserted.
"Bumrah we know has played ODIs. This is going to be a new challenge for him. He has got the x-factor as well. The variety in the bowling line-up is there. The experience is there. Experience of playing in Australia is also going to play a huge role. It is also how you prepare for the tour," he explained.
For the first Test in Adelaide, Zaheer feels India will look to pick three pacers minus Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
"The first Test match is starting in Adelaide. You expect Shami, who has been in great rhythm in England to perform. Bumrah can provide the x-factor and I hope that he plays all the four Test matches. That will be very handy. Umesh I think has been the strike bowler. You have these four bowlers (including Ishant Sharma) and the team management would be thinking of picking three from these four," he said.
"Bhuvneshwar will rely on swing and Australian conditions don't really provide that. You will see good bounce and pace on the wicket. Unlike South Africa or England for that matter where you see some good sideways movement as well. Just for that reasoning, I would say that may be for the first couple of Test matches, the Indian team will not be looking at Bhuvneshwar as first priority. The remaining four will be in contention for being a part of the playing XI," Zaheer concluded.
