Chappel says Sehwag, Zaheer hold key to India's Test series win against Australia
Former Australia cricketer Ian Chappell reckons that Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag holds the key to M.S. Dhoni's team winning the two-Test series against Australia.
"If Sehwag successfully launches a couple of his blitz attacks against the new ball, not only will it be difficult for Australia to recover, it'll also be an enormous boost to the batsmen who follow," Chappell wrote in an article for the Daily Times.
"Any planned Australian bumper barrage will be short-lived if Sehwag is splattering balls against the advertising hoardings," he added.
Sehwag had given confident starts to India in the 2008 Test series against the Australians, blasting 351 runs at a strike rate of 82.39.
He also believes that the Indian batting line-up is not a "greenhorn batting line-up", as they have the capability to handle whatever the opposing fast bowlers deliver.
"This promises to be a fascinating series, not just because it pits two intense rivals against one another, but because there's also the heightened anticipation caused by uncertainty," Chappell said.
The former Australian captain further said that India's chances of winning the series would also hinge on fast bowler Zaheer Khan.
"If Zaheer can regularly break through with the new ball, then it makes the rest of the attack so much more effective. If, on the other hand, he struggles, and Katich and Watson give Australia strong starts, it will put a huge strain on the rest of the Indian bowlers," Chappell said.
"It will also increase the likelihood of Australia's middle order firing, and if they post big totals, this in turn will make their bowling line-up more potent," he added.
Australia's tour of India includes two Test matches, and three ODIs.
The first Test will be played Mohali form October 1-5, while the second Test will be played in Bangalore from October 9-13.
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