Swallow your pride a bit: Adam Gilchrist gives Australia a winning mantra

Australia after beating South Africa 2-nil (Source: Associated Press)

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy three weeks away, the buzz has already begun. After winning three consecutive series against Australia, India will again come into the four-match Test series as favourites. 

However, the series' fate will depend on how the Indian batting tackles the Australian spin challenge. 

Of late, Indians have struggled against quality spinners, but the emergence of Rishabh Pant has worked wonders for them. However, in Pant's absence - the home batting seems frail on paper.

While suggesting a game plan to the Pat Cummins' side, legendary former Australian cricketer, Adam Gilchrist has tipped his side and said:

"Attack the stumps right from ball one. Swallow your pride a bit, be defensive to be aggressive… Start with one slip, start with a catching mid-wicket, put fielders out on the boundary to nullify the boundary option, but keep a couple of catchers in place – either at short cover or short mid-wicket – and just be patient," he added.

For the series, Cricket Australia has named the likes of Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and an unknown entity Todd Murphy to assist the experienced Nathan Lyon for the great Indian batting.

Australians have, time and again, have with solid ploys to tackle India in India; however, they have yet to win a Test series. Interestingly, they won a Test series under Gilchrist's leadership back in 2004.

Gilchrist has put his bets on the Pat Cummins-led side and stated they could repeat the feat of 2004. 

"I think they’ll do it (win the series). I really do. I think they’ve got a squad and final XI that will have a lot of similarities to the team we rolled with in 2004."

The four-match series between India and Australia will begin on February 9 at Nagpur before the caravan travels to Delhi, Dharamshala and Ahmedabad.

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