According to a report published in the Hindustan Times, the legendary ex-wicket-keeping batsman of Australia Adam Gilchrist makes his prediction about the upcoming Border-Gavaskar test series. This Australian legend has told the news that he is very confident about the team Australia led by Pat Cummins. He knows that this present team of Australia can surely put up a great match against the Indian side and script an iconic win. But with it, he also busts a myth about spin in India.
The records of both India and Australia have been the best amongst the other countries, being the only two greatest sides till now in the present cycle of the World Test Championship. And both these teams are eyeing playing the final test series in the tournament which is the Border-Gavaskar trophy. This test series is about to begin on the 9th of February. Australia will try to retain the trophy since the series of 2014/15. They are hungry for winning their maiden win of a test series in India in nineteen years. team Australia is also looking for making a spot in the finals of the World Test Championships.
Even though Gilchrist is confident about his team but at the same time he bursts myths around the spin in India. Gilchrist also happened to be the stand-in-kipper of Australia, back during the series in 2004. It was also the only victory for Australia on Indian soil during this century, in their six visits. And the victory was very iconic too because it was played in a very typical Australian manner.
Making the perfect spin combination for choking India has been a concern for every opposition team that has come to this nation to play against the Indian side. But the winning side of Australia in the 2004 test series had a bowling unit comprising a specialist spinner and three pacers.
Gilchrist has told Fox Sports during an interview that back then they had tried to change their fixed mentality and tried to do something different against India. And it worked. This time too he thinks that Australia must do the same as well and he is eager to see. He said that do not play the game in India only with a stronger spin attack. The motive must be to attack the stumps right from the first ball. He has suggested the team to swallow their pride and use the passive-aggressive method against India.
He has further told that Australia must plant a fielder at slip and also at the midwicket catching position. There must be fielders spread across the boundaries too to stop the ball from reaching the rope. Fielders must also be kept at short midwicket and short cover for taking the catches. Instead of applying the aggressive approach this time, patience must be the focal point, Gilchrist added.
Gilchrist believes that they can outplay India on their home grounds if Australia uses Nathan Lyon as a single spinner accompanied by three pacers. He believes that the same strategy of 2004 shall work in these present conditions too.