We caught up with him in Doha for a brief chat.
Excerpts…
What do you expect from the white ball series between two major sides – India and Australia?
Both teams play their best cricket against each other and that is why the series is special.
Is this series towards their build-up for the World Cup considering that it will be held in India?
Information on the best combination for the World Cup is, obviously, the priority. There are probably a few slots up in the air for grabs. The XI is more or less settled and Australia will look to identify the extra spinner and extra fast bowler.
Do you think the Australian team utilised the Border Gavaskar Trophy also towards this purpose?
No, no. I think they tried to do the best they could to win the series. White ball cricket is totally different.
Who do you think are the key players for Australia in their World Cup campaign?
Glenn Maxwell will be a huge player because of his ability to bat, bowl and field. His versatility is crucial for the Australian team. I think the opening combination with the bat of David Warner and Travis Head will be a huge factor too. Because if they set a platform really, then middle order and lower order can do so much.
IANS Photo
Is it time for Steve Smith to take over given the way he has been leading since Pat Cummins left for Australia?
Pat has done a fantastic job since he took over. I think Steve is doing a brilliant job supporting him and also standing in.
With seven months left for the World Cup, which is the team to beat? England?
The records in the last six-seven years suggest that England are the team to beat. The way they play… they have been so aggressive to put pressure on the opposition, especially with Jofra Archer back in the team. They have quality fast bowlers and spinners, besides an aggressive batting unit — even in the Indian conditions.
Having led against India, what do you think Team India possesses and lacks?
I think getting Jasprit (Bumrah) back is vital for India. He is the best in the world when he is up and running. So if he is not available, that probably will lead to a hole in the innings in terms of wicket-taking ability because he is so dangerous. But if the Indian opening combination gets a good platform, then the rest of the team can be aggressive. Because there is power in the middle order with Hardik (Pandya) and Sky (Surya Kumar Yadav) being there. There are not many weaknesses in the Indian team. They have got great spin options and very good fast bowlers. What will come down to in the World Cup will be execution on the day – a spell from a particular bowler or an innings from a batsman. That’s how the World Cup will be.
How to achieve that impactful spell or a game-changing innings?
It is down to the player. There is nothing the team can do. Everyone prepares one’s own way.
With the benefit of hindsight, is there anything that Australia could have done differently in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
There is not too much that Australia did wrong. One hour of bad play (batting) in the second innings in Delhi. There is not too much that they did in the rest of the series. The first Test was tight. They potentially should have won the second Test. And They won the third Test. I don’t think there was anything they should have done differently. It was just that one hour of crazy, crazy batting.
AFP Photo
Is Steve Smith retiring soon? There are reports that he will move to New York and settle down there.
Is it? I have not heard that. I have not spoken to Steve about anything like that. He had said that he is not going to play long and people may be reading too much into that.
Playing in the LLC – What has the experience been like? (The league ends on Monday with the final between World Giants and Asian Lions)
It has been brilliant. There have been big crowds which have been fantastic. I feel most of the players are having great fun. They enjoyed playing with and against them. Yet, we have been competitive once we got onto the field.
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