Adam Gilchrist, one of the few overseas skippers to win a Test series in India, believes Sandeep Patil-headed selection committee's decision not to pick a specialist spinner for warm-up against England will not affect Cook's tourists
Team India have already made their intentions clear — deprive England from any kind of exposure to spin before the four-Test series begins from November 15 in Ahmedabad.
No specialist spinner will figure in the India ‘A’ team that will take on the visitors in the first warm-up match at the Brabourne Stadium today.
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Adam Gilchrist
However, former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist does not believe that England will be affected too much with India’s no-spinner tactic. “It is just a cat and mouse (game) that goes before the series. England will certainly be with no shortage of spin bowling in their preparation before the Test series.
“If they are not given spinners during the warm-up ties, then I am sure they will call some spinners in the nets to bowl to them. I don’t know the reason behind such a decision by the Indian selectors, but I am sure England will be well-prepared to face the spinners,” Gilchrist told MiD DAY on the sidelines of the announcement of the Sir Donald Bradman Scholarship for an Indian student to study in Australia’s University of Wollongong yesterday.
Gilchrist is one of the few foreign captains who have the distinction of winning a Test series (2-1) in India. Gilchrist led the Aussies in the first three Tests in 2004-05 series before regular skipper Ricky Ponting took charge in the final Test at the Wankhede Stadium where India achieved a solace win. It was Australia’s first Test series win on Indian soil after 35 years.
While England will aim to break India’s dominance at home, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men will look to avenge their 0-4 drubbing in England last year. The former Australia wicketkeeper does not believe Indian players will look at this as a revenge series. “I don’t think it (0-4 loss in England) will come into the picture.
Ian Bell, one of England’s key batsmen. Pic/Getty images
“There are two different teams that will be playing now. England have a different leader as well. A lot has passed under the bridge since that series. The conditions are also very different. I am sure that (0-4 loss) factor won’t play on India’s mind. It should be an even contest. It will be a hard-fought series nevertheless. Both teams will be very aggressive,” said Gilchrist.
IPL players will now have money concerns: Gillyu00a0u00a0
The termination of the Deccan Chargers franchise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) has sent fresh concerns for foreign players.
Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who was the skipper when Deccan Chargers won the IPL in 2009 in South Africa, said the players would be hesitant to join IPL teams.
"Players will certainly be a bit hesitant as they will evaluate whether the team is going to be there next year or not, or whether their payments will be made on time.
“No cricketer would like to put himself in a position where there are doubts over him receiving his payments. It definitely needs to be governed well," Gilchrist said. u00a0
Gilly welcomes Sachin to Order of Oz club
Unlike former Australia teammate Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist was elated at the prospect of having Sachin Tendulkar for company on the Order of Australia list.
The batting legend will become only the second Indian after legal expert Soli Sorabjee to receive the Order of Australia. “I am fortunate to have him. I messaged him ‘Welcome to the club’ when I heard about it and was thrilled to receive one from him as well. The discussion around his award and the variety of opinion shows the amazing profile that Tendulkar has. He has forged great relations between the two countries,” said Gilchrist.
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