Rohit Sharma has what it takes to succeed in Tests in Australia: Michael Hussey

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Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Michael Hussey believes that Rohit Sharma has the ability to succeed in Australia in the Test series later this year. The former Australia and CSK player spoke about a variety of things, including Dhoni’s retirement and India’s chances in the Test series against Australia.

India will play Australia in the Test series starting on the 3rd of December in Brisbane. The series also includes a day-night match in Adelaide.

Hussey spoke positively on Rohit’s chances to succeed in the Test series.

“It’s going to test any batsman in the world, but I think because he’s (Rohit) played a lot of One-Day cricket batting at the top of the order, and now he’s been having some success with the red-ball game as well, that’ll give him confidence coming in. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s got the ability and the skill and the temperament, to be able to handle it,” the left-hander believes. 

“I think he would adapt. No, worries at all of his batting at the top of the order. It will be challenging in Australian conditions against the top quality bowling attack with pace and bounce,” Hussey said.

Rohit Sharma has what it takes to succeed in Tests in Australia: Michael Hussey
Rohit Sharma has what it takes to succeed in Tests in Australia: Michael Hussey

The 45-year-old also believes that Australia will be tougher to beat for India than the series in 2018, as Smith and Warner will be back.

“Obviously, bringing back Smith and Warner into the team is huge, but the guys that were exposed and perhaps probably weren’t quite ready at the time from two years ago, have now managed to get a number of Test matches under their belt… India are going to be up for a stiff challenge in Australia this summer,” Hussey said in a chat show on Sony Ten’s Pit Stop.

“Put that with a world-class bowling attack in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood and (James) Pattinson as well with Nathan Lyon…I think the team looks extremely strong, they are playing some excellent Test cricket. We know India are a world-class team, but they have to be at their best to beat the Australian team on home soil.”

There are several rumours doing the rounds around Dhoni’s future. Dhoni hasnt played since the 2019 World Cup semi-final. But, Hussey who played under Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings, believes it should be Dhoni who should take a call over his future.

“He’s been an incredible person and player for CSK for so long, and India for that matter, and we hope he keeps playing for another 10 years but I’m not sure we’re going to be able to see that so hopefully he can play for as long as he can.”

Hussey also appreciated Kohli’s captaincy.

“I think you got to give a lot of kudos to Virat Kohli, having someone like MS Dhoni still in the team who’s been, arguably, India’s most successful captain. Sometimes some people would find that threatening to still have that person in the team,” he said.

“But I think that’s where you need to tip your hat to Virat and so you know he’s obviously got the personality to say ‘no, no I would like this guy around. I can learn from this guy, and he’s going to help me get down the better skipper and obviously have a better team’.

Written by Sarthak Karkhanis. Follow Sarthak on Twitter today.

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