Kolkata: Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev on Tuesday (December 15) guided the highly-praised Indian pace attack to bowl to their strength and not get carried away with the bouncy wickets during the four-match Test series in Australia beginning on Thursday (December 17).
Even in the absenteeism of the experienced Ishant Sharma, the India team owns of a deadly pace-bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and backed up by the likes of Umesh Yadav and rookie duo of Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini.
But the legendary pacer felt that the Indians still lack experience of bowling on Australian pitches. “Our fast bowlers are not that used to bowling on Australian pitches. Sometimes they may get carried away when they see a little bit of bounce and start bowling short. It’s very important to understand their pace and back their strengths,” Kapil said during a virtual session hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
“We may have a very good pace bowling attack at this stage, but they (Australians) know the conditions better than our fast bowlers,” said the 61-year-old former India captain.
The 1983 World Cup winning captain also said that Australia will have the edge in the series opening day/night Test in Adelaide as they have played more such matches than India, apart from the fact that they are playing at home. “Definitely Australia have the edge. They are playing in their backyard. If India were playing a pink ball Test in India, I would say 80 per cent our chances. But Australia have played so many (pink ball) Tests and they understand the conditions better under the floodlights.”
In the meantime, he also said that he is not willing to put forward either Wriddhimaan Saha or Rishabh Pant. He said that the management of the Indian team should decide on who will play and whoever they think is right.
“It doesn’t matter who will be wicketkeeping, the team management will decide whomever they think is right for play. The first XI should be selected judging by the situation or the environment,” stated Paaji.
“It is always difficult to beat Australia at home. He also said that Aussies has played day and night matches much more than pink, so they have more experience, so it will not be easy for India. Skipper Virat Kohli will not play in the last 3 Test matches. He also said that without Kohli, India would have to face tough competition,” Kapil said.
“Aussie fast bowlers will be ahead of India’s fast bowlers because they will bowl in a familiar environment, on a familiar field,” Kapil further added.
Kapil picked his India debut in 1978 as the biggest moment of his career, ahead of the country’s 1983 World Cup win under his captaincy. “The biggest ever moment happened for myself was the day I played for India. I would call it 1000 times bigger than winning the World Cup because representing your country was always a dream. I still cherish the moment and feel so proud,” he signed off.
