Former England captain Nasser Hussain has offered compelling insights into the challenges faced by India’s Test team when playing on foreign soil. While the team excels on their home grounds, Hussain believes the absence of players like Ben Stokes and Cameron Green hampers their performance overseas.
India’s Test team has achieved remarkable success on home turf, with a staggering 36 wins out of 44 tests in the last decade. This dominance is attributed in part to the prowess of spinners such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. These players have formed a potent combination of skill and strategy, contributing significantly to India’s triumphs. However, their performance takes a hit when they play in unfamiliar conditions abroad.
Nasser Hussain emphasizes the team’s prowess at home, stating, “They (India) are brilliant at home, and the balance of their side at home is just wonderful.” He acknowledges the strength of the Indian team, particularly the presence of senior players and emerging talents. Spin-bowling all-rounders like Jadeja, Ashwin, and Axar Patel have bolstered the team’s performance in India. Their contributions with both the bat and the ball have proven crucial in achieving success.
Hussain’s assessment for India’s overseas campaign is clear: the team needs a seam-bowling all-rounder similar to Ben Stokes or Cameron Green. Such a player could bridge the gap between batting and bowling strengths, especially in unfamiliar conditions. He underscores the importance of a genuine wicket-taking seam and swing bowler who can also contribute significantly with the bat, addressing the unique demands of overseas Tests.
According to Hussain, “A cricketer India need at the moment is a (Ben) Stokes-type cricketer, a Cameron Green-type cricketer, a Mitchell Marsh-type cricketer, a batter at No.6 or No.7, away from home, that can bowl you 10 or 15 overs of genuine wicket-taking seam and swing.” He emphasizes the importance of not just any bowler who can bat a bit, but a batter who can deliver quality seam bowling. Such a dynamic balance, as Hussain suggests, would make India a formidable force away from home.
Hussain identifies Hardik Pandya as a potential solution for the all-rounder role. “Hardik (Pandya) would’ve been perfect if Hardik had stayed fit and continued that process,” he explains. He also highlights the return of Jasprit Bumrah, one of the premier multi-format bowlers, as a potential boost to the team’s strength.
Hussain’s insights shed light on the nuances of team composition and the critical role of versatile all-rounders in India’s overseas campaigns. While players like Pandya have shown promise, injuries have posed challenges to maintaining a balanced team. Despite the hurdles, Hussain’s observations provide valuable perspective on how India can enhance their performance on foreign soil.
