Former Pakistan captain and veteran batter Salman Butt has shared his version of why the Indian cricket team is the most successful team overseas in Test cricket at the moment.
He pointed out that Team India sends their "A" teams ahead of the senior team’s series on overseas tours, and it helps the players significantly. That’s why the Indians are doing extremely well overseas. They won big Test series in Australia twice and are leading 2-1 in England as well.
The Pakistani batter further noted that other teams are not playing four-day games overseas and that’s why they are struggling to win the overseas Test series.
The final Test between India and England is scheduled for next year after being postponed due to COVID-19 scares. India hasn’t yet won a Test series in South Africa.
Butt said when a fan asked him about India's overseas success in Test cricket: “India prepares for it. If you see, India's 'A' teams go to England, Australia. Even now, they were on the tour of South Africa.”
He further explained, “I'll give you an example. A high proportion of Mohammed Siraj's First-class matches came outside India, where he took part in four-day games. Other countries aren't doing that. They aren't sending their 'A' teams for four-day cricket like India. Earlier, you used to see Australia 'A' coming to Pakistan, or even Sri Lanka 'A' or South Africa 'A' used to come here.”
With the countries moving away from the traditional format of the game, he insisted that players “cannot develop the mindset” to play in the longest format.
Butt signed off by saying, “Now, the countries are moving away from long formats. Justifiably, the players are not prepared for that. They can't develop the mindset for Test cricket.”
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
