In the lead-up to the forthcoming, critically crucial Border Gavaskar Trophy, which is set to be played beginning on February 9, 2023, former Australia batsman Ian Healy made a very uncommon statement about the Indian pitches.
India has won both of the previous editions, which were both held in Australia.
The first match of the four-Test series between India and Australia will be played at Nagpur ground, but even before this match, former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy said that if the pitch completely favors the spinners on the tour of India.
Then the domestic team will have the upper hand, but if the pitch is good for batting and bowling, then their team will have a chance to win.
The series always piques the curiosity of the cricketing world, and this time is expected to be no exception as Australia will be driven to hand India a defeat at home.
Since the Australians last won the trophy in 2014–15, India has twice swept the four-match Test series in Australia.
However, according to the team’s former wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy, the condition of the pitches is the major concern for the traveling party.
If they produce fair wickets, we will win
“I think if they produce fair Indian wickets, that are good batting wickets, to start with, (that) probably spin and spin pretty consistently but spin a long way, late in the match … we (Australia) win,” the 58-year-old said on SENQ Breakfast.
“I’m worried about (Mitchell) Starc and (Nathan) Lyon in the first Test. If they’re unfair wickets which I’ve seen in the last series, where balls were jumping ridiculously and sliding down low from day one, I think India play those conditions better than us,” said Healy.
Gave this advice to young players
Ian Healy, a former wicketkeeper for Australia concluded by advising the less experienced Australian players to take the fielding teachings extremely seriously and to resist giving in to pressure, especially in light of the incredible international fielding standards India has recently set for cricket. He advised the team’s younger players to handle pressure and play with less error.
“I want the players to be very aware if they are escaping that pressure (from the locals) if you’re escaping that pressure and hiding in your room using the golf simulator… I think you’ve got to do something else.
That’s an escape, you shouldn’t be doing it, you’re dodging, just be very aware of what you are feeling at any given time. Immerse yourself before you really get to deploy your technique… don’t drop catches, fielding can be difficult over there,” he concluded.
Why is the Border Gavaskar Trophy important?
Team India will return to the longest format of the game when it hosts Australia for a four-match series following a thrilling T20I series victory over New Zealand on Wednesday.
The four games will be India’s last chance to guarantee a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will take place in June of this year. Australia is now comfortably atop the standings in the 2021–23 WTC cycle.
