John Buchanan, the former coach of the Australian cricket team, has provided valuable insights regarding India's forthcoming Test series against Australia, highlighting the critical role of the Indian batting order in shaping the series outcome. Set to begin on November 22 at the WACA in Perth, Buchanan stressed that the performances of experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be instrumental in tackling Australia's formidable pace attack.
Buchanan pointed out that this series presents India with a chance to secure a landmark third consecutive Test series win in Australia, a feat not achieved since the 1991-92 season, when five matches will take place. Although India has triumphed in the last two tours, he cautioned that the psychological edge may not carry over to the current squad, as key players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are likely to be missing from the roster.
He emphasised the significance of India's top order, including players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, in establishing competitive totals. Buchanan also noted the potential strain on both teams' veteran players and indicated that a successful approach for India would involve prolonged innings, akin to Pujara's past efforts that wore down Australian bowlers.
Additionally, Buchanan commented on Australia's strong bowling lineup, featuring stars like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, which poses a substantial challenge to the visiting team. While acknowledging Australia as the favourites, he pointed out that India's limited preparation time—a mere two-day match against the Prime Minister's XI—might hinder their ability to adjust to the home conditions before facing Australia’s aggressive attack.
Lastly, he offered thoughts on Steve Smith’s batting position, advising against placing him as an opener due to his proven success at No. 4.
Buchanan’s observations highlight the high stakes of this Test series and underscore the necessity for a robust batting performance from India to overcome the challenges posed by Australia on their home turf.