Australia vs India 2018: India Should Win the Test Series - Matthew Hayden

Former Australian combative opener Matthew Hayden believes India should win the ongoing Test series against Australia. The four-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1. The visitors had won the first Test match by 31 runs whereas Australia bounced back to win the second by 146 runs. Thus, it has been a competitive series so far.

Meanwhile, Matthew Hayden believes India have got a settled team and they should be able to get over the line. Moreover, India has got a potent bowling attack as the pace battery has done a fine job in the recent past. Hence, Hayden believes India is the favourites to win the Test series.

“I think India should clinch the series,” Hayden told Mumbai Mirror. “Why? Because, they have a balanced side, an extremely settled bowling unit, and depth in spin. It is hard to win away from home and this will prove to be no different. But India should win, they really are the favourites, they need good partnerships, which they have not had.”

Furthermore, the former pugnacious batsman said it is the most complete Indian team that has ever toured Australia. In fact, India is yet to savour success on the Australian soil.

“I think it is. I think it is the most complete Indian team to have ever toured (Australia). India have incredible batting depth, it is very confident in the spin bowling department, it is good in fast bowling too. The young wicketkeeper (Rishabh Pant) is a real breath of fresh air, he will be very good find for Test cricket. The fast bowling unit speaks for itself. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not even playing in the XI,” Hayden observed.

India is ticking the right boxes in the recent past and they have come up roses with their bowling attack. However, they need to pull their socks in the batting department. Virat Kohli has been a lone warrior for the Indian team and the rest of the batsmen need to chip in with their contribution.

The third Test match will take place at Melbourne from December 26.