Australian captain Pat Cummins expects some verbal sparring during the four Test series against India, which begins on February 9 in Nagpur. However, the pacer hopes that tourists can keep their senses and get through all of that.
The last three Test series between Australia and India have produced very intense contests. On-field clashes and verbal altercations have reached new heights in the battle between the two sides. Pitch talks from both sides have dominated the pre-series buildup as well, which is likely to draw more fire when the series begins.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Cummins thinks there should be a lot of spice going on as the two best teams of the era are going head to head. The right-arm speedster also stated that his concentration is more on his own focus.
“I’m sure there will be little heated moments on the pitch. It’s two passionate teams playing against each other. But hopefully, as we’ve shown in the last few moments, we can get through that. If there’s a little bit of heat and someone gets excited , maybe that’s for that purpose, to enter the contest at that time.”
added:
“We’re really big at concentrating on our own approach to the game. You hear someone like Smithy talk about staying in his own bubble when he’s hitting. I think everyone has a little bit of that.”
Cummins and Co. is no doubt under pressure as it begins its quest to win its first test series on Indian soil since 2004. Australia has also won just one test in India in its last four attempts, with victory in Pune in 2016- 17 leg.
“That’s part of the challenge of playing away from home” – Pat Cummins on playing in India
Addressing the conditions in India, the New South Wales fast bowler admitted they see it as a challenge. He feels that it is what makes playing away from home more special. As quoted by The Age, he said:
“Embrace the chaos. These series always present different challenges on the field or off the field, and embracing that is what makes these tours so special. That’s part of the challenge of playing on the road.”
added:
“Home teams want to win at home. In Australia, we’re lucky we usually have pace and rebounding. Home field advantage, I don’t think it’s a terrible thing. It’s another challenge and makes traveling here even more difficult when you know that the conditions are tailor-made for them”.
The visitors have also hinted at their playing XI, with Todd Murphy and middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb likely to enter.