Nasser Hussain and India’s Test team. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images and GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
In recent times, India’s performances in Test cricket have not been up to the mark, especially in their last two WTC finals where they have been defeated by New Zealand and Australia. But as far as their track records in home conditions are concerned, it’s been brilliant as usual.
Now, former English captain Nasser Hussain has also applauded India’s Test side and said that they are one of the most balanced sides, especially at home as they have a great mix of young and experienced players.
India are scheduled to play a five-match Test series against England on home soil. In an ICC Review show, Hussain applauded the Indian team calling it a balanced side.
“They are brilliant at home…and the balance of their side at home is just wonderful,” Hussain said.
Hussain said that India have got great experienced batters and they have an upcoming superstar, Shubman Gill who is all set to be the next big thing in Indian cricket.
“They’ve got senior players like Rohit and obviously Virat (Kohli) and they are just world-class players and they’ve got youngsters coming in, like Shubman (Gill), who’s going to be a superstar,” Hussain added.
With the ball in India, those three all-rounders are genuine all-rounders in India: Hussain
In recent times, the Indian team has missed the services of their premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and his absence has cost India big time, especially in ICC tournaments. Hussain also emphasised Bumrah’s importance for India and said that the Men in Blue will be a far more dangerous team once the ace pacer returns to the side.
Bumrah is currently in rehab at the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore, and is all set to make a comeback in International Cricket with the upcoming Ireland series, where he will be captaining the side in the three-match T20I series.
“If Jasprit (Bumrah) can come back as well, one of the great multi-format bowlers there is at the moment, if not the best, when fit. So, they’ve got those senior players and youngsters, and with the ball in India, those three all-rounders, and they are genuine all-rounders in India – Axar (Patel), (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin. That, for me, is a really balanced side because then you’ve got a No.7,” Hussain concluded.
After being defeated by Australia in the final of WTC 2023, Indian Team has started their next WTC cycle brilliantly as they defeated West Indies quite easily by 1-0 in the two-match series.