Harbhajan Singh doesn't expect Aussie batsmen to stand up against Ashwin and Jadeja

The Australian Test team is in India for a Test series and though they haven’t traditionally done well here but probably for the first time nobody is willing to give them a chance. Among those writing off Steve Smith and co. ahead of the series is veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. He thinks this is the “weakest ever” team that has come on the tour.

For Team India the predicted scoreline is 4-0 and in case the Aussies manage to surprise them in one of the matches it might end in a draw – they would then win the series 3-0. Winning a Test match is considered quite impossible for this team that was whitewashed by the Sri Lankan team a few months ago.

“I have played against some of the best Australian sides. In my opinion, looking at the composition, this is the weakest Australian side to tour India. I don’t think this team has the wherewithal to cope with a quality Indian side in the Indian conditions. It can again be 4-0 like 2013 season,” Harbhajan was quoted by PTI as saying by India Today.

He compared the teams that have previously toured India with the one that has landed now. “That team in 2001 had Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. In this team, if you take Steve Smith and David Warner out, I don’t think this batting line-up can offer resistance to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Both know how to get wickets on the Indian tracks.”

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Not Australia but Alastair Cook’s England was considered the toughest opponent for India in the home season but they were handed a 4-0 drubbing by Virat Kohli’s men. “I believe the England team that toured India recently were a better batting outfit. They scored 400 plus runs on a multiple occasions. It’s not going to happen with this Australian side,” Harbhajan said.

In this Australian team skipper, Steve Smith is considered the best player against spin despite his unorthodox batting style and his experience of having played in the subcontinent Bhajji doesn’t give him a chance against the Indian spin-twin of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

“Take IPL out of the equation because those matches are played on flat batting pitches. And most of Smith’s centuries are against spinners on Australian pitches. The length varies, there’s less turn and the bounce makes it easier for stroke players. In India, Ashwin and Jadeja on these tracks will pose far bigger challenge for Smith. In case of Warner, he can attack which means he will give you chances,” he said.

Australia will rely a lot on their most successful off-spinner Nathan Lyon but Harbhajan thinks he won’t be able to make that kind of an impact given the Indian batsmen are well equipped against quality spin. “I have a lot of respect for Nathan Lyon. He has 200 plus Test wickets being an off-spinner playing bulk of cricket Down Under. But then again, he will be bowling to the likes of Virat Kohli, Murali Vijay or Ajinkya Rahane in India is different. The other two spinners are absolute rookies.”

The veteran has a suggestion for the Indian bowlers to deal with Australian opener David Warner and keeping him off scoring big.

“Warner will not be a player who would score 35 runs in a session. If he is around, he will look to score 75-80 runs. Now if Ashwin and Jadeja slow down the game, you can probably counter him. If he is on the attack, Virat should set in-out field. Keep a straightish mid-wicket. The aim will be to bowl six deliveries to Warner. Don’t let him off strike.

“The left-right combination can hamper the rhythm of the bowlers. If Warner is attacking, don’t have a forward short-leg and silly point for the heck of it just to play on a batsman’s mind. If the batsmen are on ascendancy, no harm in playing a waiting game,” Bhajji concluded saying.