Australia have landed in India and went through a grilling 3-hour session in Brabourne stadium, Mumbai. Australia’s vice-captain and batsman David Warner has come to India well prepared for the Indian conditions. He has had a great outing in the last IPL, which his team went on to win. But Test cricket is a different ball-game altogether and playing Tests in India are is as tough as it gets.
Speaking to the press, Warner hinted that if there is one bowler he is really looking forward to face is Ravichandran Ashwin. He said, “Ashwin thinks like a batsman and I have to be disciplined against him. I have a game plan for him. I have to bat against his strength. He is going to be ready for me and we both have to adapt to the situation. It’s going to be a great battle for the both of us. I have to respect a player like Ashwin. I have to bide my time.”
‘Beating India is the pinnacle’
Australians know that it is not tough playing in India. They went to UAE in order to prepare for the series and will have the first experience of the pitch and conditions when they play their first warm-up game against India A at Brabourne stadium in Mumbai from February 17.
Warner acknowledges that it is not going to be easy but he also is clear that they are here to win. He said, “Beating India is the pinnacle. It is hard and tough. We must take our chances and must try to win and not draw. We will go all out to win in India. The world will be watching us. We have to change the record of the past and we are ready for the series. We are here to play our best brand of cricket and to beat India.”
A lot at stake for both countries
It is not just the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is at stake here. Also at stake is the pride of the two teams. Australia have a top side in Test cricket for years. They are going through a transitional period but even then they are playing top-class cricket. They come to India with massive amount of self-respect and they don’t want to dent it at any cost.
On the other hand, there is India, who have been playing some quality Test cricket in the last one year. Virat Kohli calls this team a family and this team is doing wonders for him. New Zealand, England and Bangladesh what they went through in the last 5 months or so. Australia would want not to get that experience when they fly back home.
