Border-Gavaskar Trophy: 'Kuldeep Yadav will play big role in India's win over Australia,' says Maninder Singh

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New Delhi, Feb 7: The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 between India and Australia has caught the imagination of the cricketing fraternity with everyone waiting for the series to start with bated breath from Nagpur Test.

The four-Test series between India and Australia - which also has crucial World Test Championship points on the line for the hosts - starts February 9 at the VCA Stadium.

As both teams are loaded with quality Test players, the excitement about the series is just reaching the threshold and experts are busy analysing their strengths and weaknesses.

Pat Cummins-led side - which is also number one in the Test rankings - has arrived on the Indian shores with some quality match-winners in their ranks and preparing hard in the nets for the challenge that awaits them.

The Australians have always called India the final frontier and winning a Test series in the latter's backyard has been a dream of every Aussie captain.

In an exclusive chat with Mykhel, former India cricketer Maninder Singh said he's very excited about the upcoming Test rubber. While analysing the strengths and weaknesses of India and Australia, the former India left-arm spinner claimed it won't be easy for Rohit Sharma and his team to overcome the visitors.

India vs Australia Test Series 2023

"Honestly speaking, I have been eagerly waiting for the India-Australia Test series because it is going to be an interesting one. We know that Team India has always been a force to reckon with at home due to the advantage of spin-friendly pitches. But this Australian side comprises some stalwarts of the game."

India vs AUS Test on spin-friendly pitches

The 57-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator, who has played 35 Tests for India, cautioned the hosts to not take their opponents lightly for the tourists will aim for a battle of attrition.

"The Aussies always play like battle-hardened soldiers and that's what will make this contest an intriguing one. The attitude they possess means they'll not give it up easily. Therefore, it won't be easy for India to beat them at home. We know the pitches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be result-oriented and that will just take the excitement to another level," he added.

Australian Cricket Team's Strategy

Lauding the Australians' tactics of preparing spin-friendly practice pitches in Karnataka in their camp, the former cricketer claimed it will do them a world of good going into the series.

"Australians are sweating it out in the nets ahead of the marquee series. Their batting line-up is preparing hard to combat the rank turners they might get in India. Their strategy to practice on the turning tracks in Alur is going to help them a lot in the series," Singh opined.

Indian batters' performance against spinners

Lamenting Indian batters' struggles against spinners, the former cricketer claimed the Aussie spin attack will also challenge Rohit and his band a lot and it will boil down to the team countering the spinners better might eventually fare better.

"As far as Team India is concerned, we've seen that Indian batters have struggled to bat well against spin. It has been a matter of concern for India as well because they've looked unsettled on spin-friendly pitches. Even someone like Virat Kohli - who is one of the best batters in the business - tends to struggle on a surface where the ball isn't coming nicely onto the bat. So, you can imagine how difficult it is going to be for Indian batters against Australian spinners," he stated.

Nathan Lyon impact on Indian pitches

Australia's premier spinner Nathan Lyon has arrived in India with a lot of expectations and he'll pose a major threat to the Indian batters throughout the series, but Singh believes it will be crucial for him to adjust his line and length quickly for pitches in the sub-continent are different to what he gets back home.

"I am a big fan of Nathan Lyon, he's a world-class spinner. But he's used to bowling on the Australian tracks which are very different to what we have in the sub-continent. So it will be interesting to see how quickly he gauges the length on Indian pitches," Singh opined.

Trump card for Team India vs Australia Tests

He also claimed Indian spin attack looks stronger and said, "If you compare the spin bowling attack of both the teams, India have an edge due to the variety. But be rest assured that we are going to witness a good contest between bat and ball over a course of one month."

The Australians are working tirelessly to counter senior India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the series but Singh picked up a wrist-spinner as the most important player in the Indian side as the trump card.

While picking up that one player who is going to play an important role in India's success in the series, the former spinner picked chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm spinner - who seems to have redefined himself lately - has always troubled Australian batters and he could be a trump card for the hosts in the series.

"I think Kuldeep Yadav will play a very crucial role in Team India's success in this Test series. He's got the skills to trouble the Australian batting line-up," he signed off.