Australia Can Lose 4-0 Against India: Sourav Ganguly
Feb 12, 2017 at 1:44 PM
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly feels Australia could suffer a similar fate like England and can lose the upcoming Test series by 4-0 against India.
The Indian team inflicted a heavy 4-0 defeat on England a couple of months ago and the former captain has predicted a similar scoreline for Steven Smith’s men. Citing the examples of past series, Ganguly said the teams have traditionally struggled to do well in India and the team from Down Under will also find it difficult to put up a good show.
“Well, Australia are going to find it difficult to win here,” Ganguly said while speaking to The Time of India.
“It’s hard to beat India in India. There could not have been a much stronger side than the one that toured India in 2001 and yet they could not win. Even the likes of Waugh, Warne, McGrath and Gillespie could not beat us. So, Australia will find it very hard.
“I had predicted before the England Test series that it will be 5-0 in India’s favour, but it ended 4-0, and against Australia it could go 4-0 as well,” he added.
The 44-year old further said a visiting team can fancy their chances in India not only if they can play spin well but also if their spinners can bowl well.
“In India you have to play spin well, as well as bowl spin well to win.It’s as simple as that,” said Ganguly.
“It’s the spinners that have made India so dominant at home over the last 25 years. They just keep coming one after the other. Kumble and Harbhajan in my time, Ashwin and Jadeja now. You hand the ball to any spinner, he wins you games. So that’s what it is,” he added.
The four-match series begins on February 23 in Pune before moving to Bengaluru, Dharamsala and Ranchi for the remaining Tests.