Not sure this India side the best: Waugh
NEWDELHI: Former Australia captain Steve Waugh is “not sure” if the current Indian team led by Virat Kohli is any better than some of the sides he played against. Waugh spoke in reference to India coach Ravi Shastri’s comments that this is “the best Indian side in the last 15 years”.
“Look I have played against some great Indian sides and I am not sure that the current side is better than the ones we played against,” Waugh told ESPN Cricinfo. The 53-year-old said such comments could have been avoided as it puts pressure on the team. “I am not really sure but probably not a great thing to say as it puts extra pressure on the team. Once they start losing, they will get a lot of criticism for that. Look, it’s good that Ravi Shastri believes in his side but comments like these could be kept to himself,” Waugh said.
The former skipper known for his mental disintegration tactic feels that Australia despite recent problems would be hard to beat in their own den.
“Australia will be hard to beat in Australia. We have a bowling attack as good as any team in world cricket and we can take wickets. It’s our batting if we score 350 runs in first innings, we will be very hard to beat.”
‘WASTE OF TIME’
MUMBAI : Virat Kohli starred for India in the last Test series in Australia in 2014-15. The hosts won 2-0, but Kohli amassed 692 runs, averaging 86.50 starting with two sensational centuries at Adelaide.
Waugh has picked Kohli as the danger man for the hosts again. “He is a great player and loves these big moments. He is like Tendulkar and Lara. They wait for these series and that’s where they want to show their best. He will be the danger man straightway.”
India were criticised for lack of preparation after Test series losses in South Africa and England. But Waugh feels playing warm-up games make little sense unless host boards field strong sides. “Warm-up games is a waste of time. Australia went to Dubai and played a practice game in which there was no spinner. The home country has an obligation to put a proper team for practice matches and that hasn’t happened.”