Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels "heightened sense of chaos" around the scheduling and quarantine for the forthcoming Indian tour down under could well favour the visiting side.
Chappell's opinion is influenced by the words of renowned Indian commentator, Harsha Bhogle, who told him post 2008 'Monkeygate' controversy how Indians tend to thrive in mayhem while the Australians let it get to them.
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"In fact, uncertainty over the schedule at this late stage of preparations is reminiscent of what visiting teams have to contend with in the lead-up to an Indian tour," Chappell wrote for ESPNcricinfo. "In other words, India will be right at home in this chaotic atmosphere."
"In these weird pandemic times, there is a heightened sense of chaos surrounding the upcoming tour. Which brings to mind the words of respected Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle: 'Indians can navigate through chaos and thrive in it, while it unsettles Australians'."
"On Harsha's reading of the two rivals, Australia should be wary of the upcoming series with the probability of sudden last-minute disruption."
Despite those tendencies, the feeling that India's task will be significantly more difficult than their last trip is unavoidable. Apart from the pandemic enforced bio-bubble life, they'll also have to go past Steve Smith and David Warner, unlike the last tour, and try and find a way to stop Marnus Labuschagne, which teams certainly haven't been able to since the last year's Ashes.
Besides, Chappell wrote, "Australia possess a highly skilled pace attack ideally suited to home conditions", stressing, "this time around they won't be missing the valuable services of Steve Smith and David Warner, and the batting has been further bolstered by the meteoric rise of Marnus Labuschagne."
"Even a diluted Australia were no pushovers last time – they won the Perth Test – and on paper at least, they are a far stronger combination this time."
Chappell firmly believes India will need their skipper Virat Kohli to be at his best against the Australian pace battery.
"India's chances for a repeat series victory will depend to a degree on Virat Kohli's ability to take charge against the Australian pacemen and set an example for the other batsmen," he wrote.
"On the last tour it was Cheteshwar Pujara who stubbornly resisted the Australians, eventually wearing them down so other Indian batsmen could prosper."
The proposed schedule sees India's white-ball leg held in Sydney and Canberra, before a historic D/N fixture in Adelaide begins the riveting four-Test series. An official confirmation of the itinerary from CA and BCCI remains awaited.
"In light of the surrounding unpredictability it'll be fascinating to see if the kings of chaos prevail," Chappell signed off.
(Inputs from PTI)
