Indian batsman Virender Sehwag, who was part of the disastrous 2011-12 tour Down Under, feels Indian batsmen are well-equipped for bouncy Australian wickets now
Virender Sehwag during a promotional event for the World Cup in the city yesterday
The rescheduling of the first Test which will now be played on December 9 in Adelaide instead of Brisbane (December 4), has given the Indian players a little more time to get used to Australian conditions.
Virender Sehwag during a promotional event for the World Cup in the city yesterday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Starting the four-Test series in Adelaide also seems to be a boon as the conditions are expected to be less daunting than the Gabba in Brisbane.
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Virender Sehwag, who has 1031 runs in 11 Tests Down Under including a 195 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2003, is convinced that it won't be a repeat of 2011-2012 tour where India were whitewashed 4-0.
Encouragement
Sehwag had encouraging words for the young Indian team after their historic win over England at Lord's in July. However, the Indians surrendered meekly to the English bowlers and the series ended up with a 1-3 scoreline for the visitors.
"We have a very good chance to do well in Australia because Australia is not like England where the bowlers get swing and seam. The only thing is the extra bounce and our batsmen are good at it.
Our players have played in Australia in the Emerging (Players tour) and they went there two weeks before the Test matches. I hope our team does well," said Sehwag during a promotional event for the 2015 World Cup yesterday.
It remains to be seen whether Team India will be able to break the seven-year drought of winning a Test match Down Under with the last win coming in January 2008 at Perth. "I am not predicting the results, but I am hoping everyone will do well in Australia," added the swashbuckling opener, who last played an international match in March 2013.
India boasts of a promising pace attack with the likes of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, and Mohd Shami.
Sehwag said the India vs Australia Tests would be beneficial for the team in the 2015 World Cup which will be played in Australia and New Zealand. "We have a very good bowling attack. It depends on how many matches they play before the World Cup. They have to play at least 40 to 50 ODIs (overall) to get the experience and be ready for the World Cup.
"Australia is the best place to play cricket. You get good, fast wickets with bounce and the ball comes on nicely to the bat. The players (on Australia tour) will also be playing the tri-series which will help them get used to the conditions before the World Cup," he concluded.
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