There were plenty of hopes from the Virat Kohli led Indian Test team when they embarked on their tour to South Africa after winning 9 consecutive Test series. However, the numero uno Test side couldn’t quite prove their mettle in the alien overseas conditions as they conceded the Test series 1-2 to the Proteas.
Considering the fact that India have won only against West Indies and Sri Lanka in away Test series this decade, the backlash from fans and media was pretty much expected. Amidst the criticism though, former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has said that he won’t read much into India’s overseas Test woes since every team struggles to adjust in adverse conditions. Hussey feels the current India Test team will only get better under Virat Kohli.
“They (India) are a fantastic team. It is no disgrace losing to South Africa in South Africa; you see a lot of teams travelling and the away teams struggle. We saw England struggle in the Ashes, we see Australia struggle when they go to England, and we see Australia struggling in India and India when (they) come in Australia,” Hussey quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“Away teams find it hard. India have a fantastic team, very well led by Virat Kohli, and they will continue to get better,” he added.
In contrast to the 50-over World Cup, Australian team have failed to create an impact in the World T20 thus far. It was back in 2012 that the Aussies had made it to the knockout stages of the global T20 tournament.
Talking about Australia’s issue in the shortest format, Hussey said: “I know it is something very important to the Australian team. We haven’t won the T20 trophy before, so we are keen to do well. We have some very good players coming through, hoping that we can be right up there to fight for it.
“I think we are definitely growing quickly in the T20 game. When T20 first started we were behind, we didn’t take it seriously. Other countries were probably a little bit ahead of us, but now I’m hoping (that) Australians are catching up.
“We have seen some outstanding performances throughout the Big Bash and now that there is a tri-series on, Australia have played some of those Big Bash players like D’Arcy Short. AJ (Andrew) Tye has been good; he has come into the ODI team. I would not be surprised if there is a bit of flow-on effect from here. I’d expect it to start happening a bit more in the future,” he elaborated.
When asked about the much-anticipated four-match Test series between South Africa and Australia, scheduled to be start on March 1, Hussey said it will be a great contest.
“It is going to be a great series, challenging for both teams, particularly for batsmen. I think the Australian batsmen are going to work really hard for their runs. It is a very good South African attack; the pitches are not as true as in Australia. I’m just looking forward to two very good teams going head-to-head,” Hussey said.
“Amazingly, Australia have never lost a series to South Africa which I find bizarre. They have played against some great South African teams in the past. It is two teams playing similar brand of cricket, the conditions are good for attacking cricket. From my point of view, (I am) hoping Australia can do it again,” he concluded.
