Chaos in lead-up will favour India vs Australia: Chappell

New Delhi, October 25

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels a “heightened sense of chaos” and confusion over scheduling and quarantining in the run-up to India’s upcoming Test series Down Under could favour the visiting team. Uncertainty over scheduling is marking the lead-up to the much-anticipated tour. The matches will be played in a controlled environment amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “In fact, uncertainty over the schedule at this late stage of preparations is reminiscent of what visiting teams have to contend with in the lead-up to an Indian tour. In other words, India will be right at home in this chaotic atmosphere,” Chappell wrote in ESPNcricinfo.

Chappell’s opinion is partly influenced by a remark made by cricket pundit Harsha Bhogle in January 2008, following the ‘Monkeygate’ drama. “In these weird pandemic times there is a heightened sense of chaos surrounding the upcoming tour. Which brings to mind the words of respected Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle: ‘Indians can navigate through chaos and thrive in it, while it unsettles Australians’,” he wrote.

India are scheduled to play three T20Is, three ODIs and four Tests in Australia.

The squads for the tour are yet to be announced by the Indian selectors.

“On Harsha’s reading of the two rivals, Australia should be wary of the upcoming series with the probability of sudden last-minute disruption,” Chappell wrote.

However, unlike in the last tour, the presence of the two stalwarts — David Warner and Steve Smith — will certainly aid the hosts. “Australia possess a highly skilled pace attack ideally suited to home conditions. And this time round they won’t be missing the valuable services of Steve Smith and David Warner, and the batting has been further bolstered by the meteoric rise of Marnus Labuschagne,” Chappell wrote. — PTI