CHENNAI: With an unusual heatwave engulfing UK, Mike Hussey believes off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will have a prominent role to play if India are to secure a series win in England in over a decade. The Chennai Super Kings batting coach reckons with the team acclimatising to local conditions, India will begin the first of the five Test matches on a good note.
Since 2009, India have not won a Test series outside West Indies and Sri Lanka. With England not at their best, he believes this is the best chance to break their drought. “They’re a good team, and they’re playing good cricket. They have been there for more than a month. That should help them get acquainted with the conditions and the Duke ball. It should be a fantastic series.”
With England witnessing sparse rainfall this summer, pitches are expected to be drier than usual, something that Hussey reckons will work to India’s advantage. “Spinners will definitely have a role. The weather should help India if it stays that way. When they bat, they should look to score big and put pressure on England. They’re still a great team in their backyard.’’
There is buzz around the camp to play Kuldeep Yadav — who England struggled against in the limited-over leg — but Hussey insisted that Ashwin should be India’s primary choice. “Kuldeep, I am not sure. Personally, I feel Ashwin, who has more than 300 Test wickets, should play ahead of him. Ashwin deserves his place because he can be effective against left-handers. Kuldeep has done brilliantly, but I feel that India should persist with Ashwin.”
Though bowling has been India’s strong point in recent times, Hussey felt in the absence of Bhunveshwar Kumar and Jaspirt Bumrah (for first Test) the rest of the pacers should step up. “The absence of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah will be felt. Umesh Yadav should do well. He can be a little on and off, but he has a better understanding of his game. Mohammed Shami is good, and he can be a handful if he can stay fit.”
Speaking of his Chennai Super Kings player Murali Vijay, with whom he shares a special rapport, Hussey said the opener has been preparing for the series since IPL, where he got only limited opportunities. “Vijay is motivated for this series. He has been preparing mentally for a long time. It was nice to see him get a fifty in the tour game. He is willing to work things out. He has a role to play at the top of the order for India.”
Hussey also reposed his faith in Kohli’s prowess, while stating that he has the game to do well in England. “It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t play for Surrey. The experience of his last tour should help him. He will be determined this time. If he gets his confidence up and spends some time in the middle, he will be hard to stop. Watching him in full flow is a delight.”
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com