Ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Nagpur, mind games have begun between Australia and India. The visiting side is looking for their first Test series win on Indian soil since 2004, while the hosts have the WTC final spot to play for.
The Australian side opted for practice sessions at the KSCA grounds in Alur, Bengaluru over playing practice games after claiming that BCCI produces different wickets for practice matches and actual Tests.
Former Australian cricketer Ian Healy sparked a verbal war by saying that Australia could have the edge in the Test series if India produces "fair wickets", but will fail on "unfair" conditions.
In order to prepare for the Indian spinners, the Australian side hired Baroda spinner Mahesh Pithiya, who has a bowling action and load-up similar to that of R Ashwin. In eight Tests against Australia on home soil, Ashwin has taken 50 wickets that include 5 five-wicket hauls.
Reacting to the news of Australia preparing specifically for Ashwin, former India opener Wasim Jaffer came up with a savage response; he stated that Ashwin is already inside the Aussie heads as they gear up for the four-match series.
To this former India spinner, Harbhajan Singh quoted Jaffer’s tweet, posted a cryptic message with a photo of a pitch with multiple cracks, and wrote, “This the main thing they have in their head.”
Harbhajan’s attempt fell flat as multiple fans on Twitter slammed him as they felt he was undermining the impact of R Ashwin and for refusing that the Aussies are specifically preparing for the 36-year-old off-spinner.
Here are some tweets:
