Michael Hussey : Only spin can guarantee a result in India

Australia picked four spinners in their squad for the high-profile Test tour of India. The selection panel is headed by Trevor Hohns, who was in charge when Australia last won a Test series in India, back in 2004.

“(Steve) O'Keefe and (Nathan) Lyon will be the first two spinners, but it gives you the option of playing (Ashton) Agar or (Mitchell) Swepson and seeing what the best chance of taking 20 wickets is,” Hussey told cricket.com.au.

"That's a good option to have (but) it would be a tough call on either Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood, who are two absolute guns. But we need to pick the best team that'll give you the best chance of winning in the conditions.

“It's something they'll definitely consider and it offers a lot of balance to the team as well."

India routed New Zealand 3-0 and England 4-0 at home, with the lead role played by the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Hussey called for Australia to play a third spinner to exploit the conditions.

“I think we've got to adapt to the conditions and I think the squad is nicely balanced for that. We've got the option of playing three spinners if we want to. and we've got left-arm orthodox (O’Keefe and Agar), we’ve got right arm orthodox (Lyon) and we've got wrist spin (Swepson) so we've got all the bases covered.  

“I'm sure India will try and get the pitches to turn. That's where they're at their best and that's where we've struggled in the past. There's no question there's going to be turning tracks so we have to be ready for that both from a batting point of view and team selection.”

A major concern for the Aussies if they opt to play three specialist spinners, is the batting prowess of Swepson, who averages a mere 11.40 in first-class cricket. Should Australia opt for the three-spinner strategy, they would have to field five players who are not known for having too much success with the willow. 

Hussey said India's Test success at home is largely due to disciplined bowling.

“Their (India's) main strength is their discipline. They get the ball in the right areas all the time, much like (Rangana) Herath.

“The thing about India and Sri Lanka is the pitches aren't true pitches.  In Australia, once you get in you know how the pitch is going to react – the pitches are quite true with their pace and bounce. 

“In India, one ball might spin and one might skid. One stays low, one will kick. You never really feel set in those conditions so the Indian spinners, all they do is try and get the ball in the right spot and let the natural variation of the pitch take control. 

“And that's what they're very good at, they don't try and do too much. Ashwin has got a few more tricks and a few different deliveries, but generally speaking they just try and bowl dot ball after dot ball and build up the pressure that way.”