Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has said that the Indian cricket team has a great chance of becoming the number one side in Test cricket, as they can defeat all the three countries who will be visiting the subcontinent in the coming months.
The Australian was speaking at an event in New Delhi where he spoke at length about how the Indian team is very well settled and compared them to a bus, where the players need to sit at the right place, in order to achieve that numero uno status in Test cricket.
Lee on Indian team and conditions in India
Lee added, “The Indian batting line-up is all sorted out, but the bowling is going to be the key in this season. The bowlers will be the ones who will win the series for India.”
Lee also talked about how he always found the Indian conditions to be the toughest to play in. The 39-year old said, “For me personally, India has been the toughest place to play cricket in. If you can manage to win a series here (India), then you have achieved greatness. I’m guessing Steve Smith shares the same thought. The Ashes is a different experience, but conquering India is everything for a foreign player.”
The fast bowler was also heard referring to the Indian team as “us” when he talked about the country’s chances against the visiting New Zealand side.
Rahane is key, says Laxman
Legendary Indian all-rounder and former captain, Kapil Dev, and former batsman, VVS Laxman, were also present at the event where the duo talked about the Indian batting. The former had some nice words for Test cricket and felt that the longest format is now getting interesting from the viewers’ point-of-view.
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman spoke about how middle-order batsman, Ajinkya Rahane, is the key to the Indian team’s success throughout the world – at home or abroad. Laxman said, “Rahane is a player that India needs in every game. He is the role model for youngsters playing first-class cricket as he has consistently scored runs in domestic and has finally got his chance.”
“Ashwin is the most valuable player for India at the current stage, and he will play a key role if India are to pick up the 20 wickets within five days,” Laxman added.
Kapil Dev also spoke about how India must use the home advantage in winning matches. He said, “It is important for any country to have that home advantage as it means there is a different challenge for the visitors. You will and should not get turning tracks all over the world, therefore it is important for every home nation to prepare wickets which suit their team.”
India is scheduled to play 13 Tests, 8 ODIs, and 3 T-20s in the coming season as they look to regain the number one ranking in all the formats.
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