Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis expressed that overtaking the Indian team on their home soil is quite difficult but the Australian team is prepared and is going to India with a great squad that has great spinners.
Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who joined Sharjah Warriors at ILT20 in UAE and turned into the first Australian player to play this edition, expressed that overtaking the Indian team on their home soil is quite difficult but the Australian team is prepared and is going to India with a great squad which has great spinners.
The Australia squad will be traveling to India next week for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will start on February 9. Australia has not won in India since 2004-05 and the side will be anticipating what is named the ‘Final Frontier’.
Stoinis believes that the Border Gavaskar trophy this season will be blown as the two sides are great and they would rather not lose this time.
“We know beating India on their home soil is very tough. They are a very strong side and especially in India, they became more dangerous, also we know that the host has a very deep batting lineup and at the same time they have a specialist bowler who can take wickets easily and put pressure on us but we are also ready and we are also coming with a great squad which has specialist spinners this time,”
Stoinis told ANI.
Next month marks the start of a four-match Test series in India, and spin is expected to play a key role in figuring out which team will win and take home the prized Border-Gavaskar trophy and critical ICC World Test Championship points.
“Yes but this time we don’t want to lose the trophy even though our team never wants to lose it as it could be the third time but we don’t want to give up this year. Our squad is too strong and facing India on their soil is a bit difficult as we have to face spin tracks over there. India have some specialist bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja who can ball well but we are also coming with some specialist spinners so you can expect a good competition this time,”
he added.
The series in India will be fundamental in deciding the top two spots in the World Test Championship. The top teams will secure a playoff position for the one-off championship game at The Oval in June.
Virat Kohli has performed well against Australia and Stoinis feels the same. The all-rounder said,
“Yes he is world class batsman who has returned in form and he is the best test batter around the world this time so he could be the biggest fear once again for us. But yes one player missed this season badly and it is Rishabh Pant he is unfortunately not with the team. I wish he will recover soon and come back to the field.”
On joining the Sharajh Warriors in ILT20 Stoinis said,
“I am very happy to be part of this team as the team has some very special players like Moeen Ali, and Mohammad Nabi we are doing very well and I hope I also give my contribution well which can make our team champion of the league. I am very excited to be played against Andrew Rusellas he is the best opponent I ever have faced.”
