Nasser Hussain reasons out why Indian test team fails in foreign soil

Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes India test team lacks players like Ben stokes and Cameron Green in their side.

India’s test team boasts an impressive record of wins on their home turf. Yet when they step onto foreign pitches, a different story unfolds. Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, has raised a crucial observation about this contrasting performance.

The Indian cricket team’s dominance on home turf is beyond question. An impressive record of 36 wins out of 44 tests over the last decade shows their dominance on home soil. This success, fueled in part by world-class spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, reflects a potent combination of skill and strategy. However, the picture takes a different turn when the team ventures overseas.

As Hussain puts it, “They (India) are brilliant at home, and the balance of their side at home is just wonderful. They’ve got those senior players and youngsters, and with the ball in India, those three all-rounders are genuine all-rounders in India, Axar (Patel), Ravindra (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin. That, for me, is a really balanced side because then you’ve got a No. 7 (in Test cricket).”

Hussain underscores the significance of the spin-bowling all-rounders in India’s home success. These players, particularly Jadeja and Ashwin, have demonstrated their batting mettle by consistently chipping in with runs when the team needed them the most.

Nasser Hussain’s suggestion for India’s overseas campaign is clear, a seam-bowling all-rounder similar to the likes of Ben Stokes or Cameron Green. Such a player could provide the much-needed equilibrium between batting and bowling prowess, particularly in unfamiliar conditions. Hussain’s emphasis on a genuine wicket-taking seam and swing bowler who can also contribute with the bat highlights the dynamic requirements of overseas Tests.

“A cricketer India need at the moment is a (Ben) Stokes-type cricketer, a Cameron Green-type cricketer, a Mitchell Marsh-type cricketer, a batter at No.6 or No.7, away from home, that can bowl you 10 or 15 overs of genuine wicket-taking seam and swing, not a bowler who bats a bit, a batter who can give you 10 overs of seam bowling, and then that balance away from home makes them (India) formidable,” Hussain said.

Hussain suggests Hardik Pandya as the best option for all-rounder role

“It’s away from home and the balance of the side and if they (India) can get a seam bowling all-rounder. Hardik (Pandya) would’ve been perfect if Hardik had stayed fit and continued that process,” said Hussain. “If Jasprit (Bumrah) can come back as well, one of the great multi-format bowlers there is at the moment, if not the best, when fit.”said the former England cricketer

He highlights the role that the talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya could have played if not for his unfortunate back injury. During his time in Test cricket, Pandya showcased glimpses of his capabilities, adding a valuable dimension to India’s gameplay. Regrettably, his injury altered the course of events, rendering him unable to endure the rigors of red-ball cricket.

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