Australia To Rely On Batting Against Virat Kohli’s Undefeated Test Side In India: Ian Chappell

Feb 19, 2017 at 3:55 PM

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Australia To Rely On Batting Against Virat Kohli’s Undefeated Test Side In India: Ian Chappell

As the Australian squad has arrived in India earlier this week following the full-blown practice sessions in Dubai, the former Aussie cricketer Ian Chappell has expressed the visitors’ could count on their batting line-up during their four-match Test series that starts from Thursday (February 23) in Pune.

In his blog for mid-day Australian former cricketer Ian Chappell mentioned Australia would heavily rely on their batting – to get close to formidable India in their own backyard where they had a merry-run in the longer format cricket under the tutelage of the 28-year-old batting star Virat Kohli, who hardly puts his foot wrong while holding the willow.

“To put the task into context; in thirteen Tests, Kohli is undefeated as a captain at home. The closest any team has come to victory over a Kohli led side was South Africa’s 108 run loss in the opening Test of their series,” Chappell wrote for mid-day.

The South Australia-born Chappell in his write-up has backed the rookie Matt Renshaw as an opener for giving out his best in his short Test career which is spread over four Tests so far while averaging 63.

“The adjustments Renshaw has made in each successive Test he’s played and his catching ability at first slip, he should get first crack as opener,” Chappell mentioned.

Chappell said the decision from skipper to promote himself is a good move – to give Australia a right combination throughout the middle-order and further to thwart their major threat in the form of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

“The left and right-hand combination and batting line-up gives Australia it’s best chance of success, as well as making Kohli’s job just a little more challenging,” Chappell added.

The 73-year-old Chappell stated Steven Smith and Co. prepared on roughed-up pitches in Dubai to get ready for the challenge on the subcontinent wickets could turn out to be the wiser decision before terming India tour as a ‘daunting task’ for his countrymen.

“Australia will need to be mentally tough as well and maintain a high skill level to halt this trend. Smith’s Australian side faces the daunting task of trying to defeat a buoyant Indian,” Chappell mentioned.

While preparing at the ICC academy Australian spinners rolled over their arms to get some idea from the spinning pitches in Asia and test their confidence while sending down the marathon of the overs Chappell opined the time will tell how much they have gained while spending some quality time in Dubai.

“The Australians might have gained some insights from practicing on spinning pitches in Dubai but until they’re tested out in the middle in the heat of battle, those discoveries are only theories,” Chappell stated.

Chappell has also suggested the Australian think-tank to use fast bowler in shorter spells to give quality time to spin attack while adding to maintain the balance between fast and slow bowlers would play the crucial role for visitors.

“The penetrative pair of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will benefit if they’re used in short, sharp spells,” Chappell concluded.

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