Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke, who is in India to promote the giant venture, Tourism Australia as an ambassador, revealed India has to prove a lot in the coming time after having a merry-run in the contemporary cricket particularly in the Test format.
In a startling revelation, the 36-year-old stated the ranked No.1 side in Test cricket has to beat Australia, South Africa and even England in the foreign conditions — to accept the fact of seeing them as the best in business.
“If India can beat South Africa, Australia and England in away conditions, there will be no doubt that India is the number one team in the world,” Clarke told in an exclusive chat with NDTV.
However, Clarke further believes the unit is in full swing — to taste the success in the upcoming fixtures, under the dynamic leadership of Virat Kohli.
“The Indian team right now is full of confidence,” Clarke added.
Moreover, Clarke accepted the fact of India being at its best to topple the top notch teams, particularly in the five-day competition.
Enjoying the spectacular time, Kohli had led India to a 3-0 whitewash over hosts Sri Lanka in the three-match Test series, after thrashing Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and Windies recently in the five-day format.
Under the leadership of Kohli, India has claimed eight Test series win on the trot and are just a solitary series away — to equal the world record of nine consecutive series wins in Test cricket set by Australia.
There’s no denying the fact that India has continued their dominance with the red-ball cricket, as optimistic Kohli has always led from the front to back his boys while donning the white jersey.
“India are ticking all the right boxes under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. He wants to win and doesn’t want to take a step back,” Clarke further added.
Clarke also opined that he has not been a member of Kohli’s squad, as the former believes the batting star like Kohli would be focusing on his game and fitness — to apply his own way of approaching the things.
“I have never played under Virat so cannot compare them. However, Virat would not want to be compared to anybody. He has his own style,” Clarke maintained.
Interestingly, India is yet to win a Test series in Australia and South Africa, as Virat Kohli’s side would be looking forward to scripting the history owing to their remarkable efforts in the recent past, both with bat and ball.
“This tour will be a great challenge for Australia as India, at the moment, are playing very well. Obviously the Australian supporters expect their team to be best in the world,” Clarke asserted.
Clarke’s bid adieu to the international cricket after suffering from a back problem, as he featured in 115 Tests and scored 8,643 runs at the average of 49.10 and 7,981 runs in 245 ODI at the average of 44.58. He also played 34 Twenty20 Internationals after making his international debut in 2003 against England at Adelaide.