With the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team under scanner after the first-ever Test series loss at home in 12 years against New Zealand, Australian captain Pat Cummins believes his side will be at an advantage during the upcoming five-match series at home.
Speaking to reporters during his book – “Test” – launch, Cummins said that the Indian team will be under pressure in the Border-Gavaskar trophy starting November 5.
“I think any time a team is under pressure, it’s not a bad thing if you’re playing against them. But they’ve been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go.” Cummins was quoted by AAP at the event in Sydney on Tuesday. The Australian skipper, who has so far played in 62 Tests, is yet to taste a win against India in a Test series.
The 31-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2011, has played a total of 13 Test matches including the WTC final against India, racking up an impressive 50 wickets. Out of the 12 Tests during the BGT series, eight matches were in Australia, where India have won their last two series. Captaining the side at home against India for the first time, Cummins wants to set the record straight.
“It’s kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off. Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home. We’ve lost the (last) two series against them (in Australia), so this is a big one. We feel like our team is in a really good place, so we’ve got no reason (to think) why we shouldn’t perform really well. I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is having a big year, big season.”