New Delhi: As the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy draws nearer, former Australian coach John Buchanan has stirred the pot with his recent comments. Buchanan, who is well-known for leading Australia through a golden era in cricket, believes that India’s previous successes Down Under will hold little significance when the teams face off again this year. According to the 71-year-old, the Indian cricket team’s chances of winning will be heavily influenced by their ability to adapt to the challenging conditions in Australia.
Australia Holds the Upper Hand
Buchanan pointed out that before embarking on their tour of Australia, India will first face Bangladesh in a home Test series. This, he suggests, might give Australia an early advantage. With India having less time to acclimatize to Australian conditions, the hosts could take an early lead in the series.
“I don’t usually make predictions, but Australia will have the upper hand at the start of the series,” Buchanan remarked. He emphasized the difficulties that all teams face when playing away from home, especially when they have limited opportunities to adjust to the local conditions.
Veteran Indian Players in the Spotlight
A significant portion of Buchanan’s analysis focused on India’s experienced players, particularly Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both have been key performers in India’s recent successes, but Buchanan hinted that their age might be a factor. Rohit, who is 37, and Kohli, who is 35, along with the 37-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin, will be critical to India’s performance. However, Buchanan believes that their age could become an obstacle when facing Australia’s formidable pace attack.
“India has some older players who will need to perform at their peak to give the team a chance,” Buchanan noted. “When you consider that the Australian side only has one or two players under 30, the challenge for India becomes even more apparent.”
Kohli’s Strong Record in Australia
Despite Buchanan’s cautious outlook for India, it’s worth noting Virat Kohli’s impressive record on Australian soil. Kohli has amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests in Australia, with an average of 54.08. His experience and skill could be vital in countering Australia’s fast bowlers.
However, Buchanan downplayed the significance of past performances, arguing that both teams have changed significantly since India’s last two successful tours of Australia. “The previous series is history. Many of the players who were instrumental in those victories are no longer part of the team. The current squads are in different stages of their careers and will be eager to prove themselves.”
Australia’s Experienced Squad
While India’s veteran players are under the spotlight, Buchanan highlighted that Australia also boasts a wealth of experience. Although fewer in number, the older players in the Australian team bring with them a level of maturity and experience that could prove decisive.
Both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an intense battle, but Buchanan’s assessment suggests that Australia might have the edge, at least in the early stages of the series. With experienced players on both sides and challenging conditions in play, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to be a thrilling contest.
