Former Coach John Buchanan on India's Challenges Facing Australia's Bowling Lineup

Former Australian coach John Buchanan discusses India's upcoming five-match Test series in Australia, highlighting the crucial role of India's top-order batters and the formidable Australian pace attack. He emphasizes the importance of enduring long innings, given the advanced ages of key players on both sides. Buchanan also critiques current preparation methods for touring teams.

Former Australian coach John Buchanan believes India's chances of securing a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia hinge on the performance of their top-order batsmen, particularly senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Buchanan, who led Australia through a period of dominance in the early 2000s, noted the upcoming five-match series will test both teams' pace bowlers.

India is set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22 in Perth. Buchanan pointed out that both teams possess ageing players, but dismissed this as a major hurdle in the competition.

Buchanan remarked on Australia's potent bowling lineup, featuring off-spinner Nathan Lyon and all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh. He emphasized the need for India's top order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, to build substantial totals to give their bowlers, like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, a fighting chance.

While acknowledging India's past victories in Australia, Buchanan suggested these successes would have minimal psychological impact due to the absence of key players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. He stressed the importance of batting for extended periods to exhaust Australia's bowlers, drawing on examples from previous series.

Buchanan also highlighted the lack of preparation time for touring teams as a significant challenge, given the abbreviated schedules that limit the opportunity for acclimatization to foreign conditions. He expressed skepticism about Steve Smith continuing as an opener, believing Smith's strengths are better utilized in the middle order.

(With inputs from agencies.)