Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has insisted toss would not play an important role in deciding the outcome of the upcoming four-Test series in India.

The former Australia international had expressed his reservations about the toss in the past too and had said a visiting side should be given the option of choosing whether to bat or bowl.

Speaking after his team’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Sri Lanka last year, Lehmann had said:

“There’s certainly different wickets in different conditions, but I still harp on it – no toss. Get rid of the toss. That’s what I would love to see a change in the game.”

And his stance towards toss has still not changed. But at the same time, he has admitted more than the flip of a coin, skills of the players will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the matches.

“We won four tosses last time we were here and lost 4-0 … You’ve still got to play well if you win a toss,” he was quoted saying by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) on Tuesday (February 21) ahead of the first Test in Pune.

“My views on the toss is that it should just go anyway, that’s the way I’ve always been. Whether you’re here or Australia, it doesn’t matter,” he added.

Lehmann further said he is hoping to see good pitches being prepared by the hosts for the upcoming series.

“They produce good wickets, so looking forward to good five-day Test (pitches) that deteriorate over five days,” he said.

Lehmann can take heart from the fact that the pitches which were on offer during India-England series last year were not typical sub-continental pitches. India have faced severe criticism in recent times for preparing rank turners but the trend has changed in the last one year or so. The hosts have prepared sporting wickets in the ongoing home season and are likely to prepare similar pitches for the upcoming series too. Moreover, India winning the Test series against England by 4-0 despite losing the toss on four occasions is enough to convince Lehmann that toss will not play a very important role.