Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar says the Australians can be a very competitive side. File | Photo Credit: PTI
Sachin Tendulkar reckons the spin-friendly Oval pitch will make India confident going into the World Test Championship final against Australia and their tweakers could be doubly dangerous if they manage to get “that drift” and do the ball to speak in the air.
With India boasting two good spinners to choose from in R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Tendulkar said the team can take a lot of heart from the pitch factor.
“The Indian team will be happy that they are playing at the Oval. The nature of the Oval pitch is such that it helps the spinners as the match goes on. So, the spinners will come in a little bit.
“It doesn’t always have to be a turn because sometimes spinners rely a lot on the bounce, sometimes that little zip that they come down the pitch, also in the conditions above and it depends a lot on the shiny side of the ball..
“If they can get that drift, they can make the ball speak in the air without the pitch coming in. So, the Oval will be a good place for India,” Tendulkar said on his website 100mbsports.
India will also carry a positive vibe when they enter the Oval as their last outing at this venue resulted in a crushing win — a 157-run romp against England in 2021. Tendulkar said the fond memories of that match are will inflame and energize the Indians.
“100%. Whenever you have these memories, they stay with you. The Indian team will never forget the last time they played there [the Oval], they had a wonderful outing. They won the game and as I said good memories stay with you for a long time,” Tendulkar said.
Similarly, England towelled the Aussies by 135 runs in the 2019 Ashes Test here, and Tendulkar said they might just be sore. However, the batting maestro added that the Australians could be a very competitive side.
“Bruises take some time to heal. But Australia are a good team because they have a balanced squad. There are guys who have been around for a long time now and some young faces too.
“It’s a good blend of youth and experience. Australia have always been competitive and whether they have a full squad or not, when they cross that rope, they will be very competitive,” Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar said the extensive County stints done recently by Cheteshwar Pujara and Marnus Labuschagne will be beneficial for their teams in the big game.
“Of course, playing in County cricket can have a lot of value. Both Pujara and Labuschagne have had big outings in County cricket recently. Different.
“Our boys have played T20 and now they have gone to England, also some players from Australia as they are playing T20 here but I believe playing practice matches… there is no better training than that,” he said.
