India vs Australia | Zaheer Khan believes Indian pacers experience in Australia will keep them in good stead
Zaheer Khan reckons that the experience of the Indian bowling attack will play a vital role in the tour of Australia as the likes Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami know the conditions well. Khan added that it is highly unlikely that Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will be guaranteed a starting spot.
India will take on the mighty Australians on home turf as they gear up for a challenging month away from home. The home team will be without star duo, David Warner and Steven Smith, but they will still be in the hunt for a win to silence their doubters. Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is optimistic of India’s chances down under as he backed the ‘experienced’ bowling unit to shine in familiar conditions.
"Looking at the Australia tour and at the fast bowling unit which is going there, you look at the five fast bowlers and most of them have been to Australia. If you purely look at the Test tour to Australia, you have Ishant leading the pack, who is on his fourth tour now. So, that is something which is heaps of experience which is very important as well," Zaheer told Cricbuzz.
Ishant Sharma has toured Australia thrice before and has a below-par record of having picked 20 wickets at a forgettable average of more than 60 and a strike-rate of more than 100. However, Khan added that Sharma’s on-field advice to fellow bowlers will be priceless
"You need not just look at numbers all the time. His numbers even though suggesting he has played about 10 games and has a higher average. Something which is going to be a vital component is the awareness in terms of planning. Talking to other bowlers as well, that is something that is going to be vital as well."
"You have Umesh touring for the third time which is going to be important. Bhuvneshwar and Shami have been to Australia before. This is their second Test tour. Shami has played about three Test matches and has picked 15 wickets. Bumrah we know has played ODIs. This is going to be a new challenge for him. He has got the x-factor as well. The variety in the bowling line-up is there. The experience is there. Experience of playing in Australia is also going to play a huge role. It is also how you prepare for the tour," Khan added.
40-year old Zaheer, who picked 25 wickets from seven Test matches in Australia, also added that Bhuvaneshwar Kumar might not be a guaranteed a spot in the matchday squad as the conditions in Australia will not favour his style of bowling.
"The first Test match is starting in Adelaide. You expect Shami, who has been in great rhythm in England to perform. Bumrah can provide the x-factor and I hope that he plays all the four Test matches. That will be very handy. Umesh I think has been the strike bowler. You have these four bowlers (including Ishant Sharma) and the team management would be thinking of picking three from these four.
"Bhuvneshwar will rely on swing and Australian conditions don't really provide that. You will see good bounce and pace on the wicket. Unlike South Africa or England for that matter where you see some good sideways movement as well. Just for that reasoning, I would say that
