Kuldeep, Chahal to be ‘Destructive’ in WC’s Later Stage: Hussey

Hussey is confident of Australia’s chances of retaining the World Cup title. 

(Photo: PTI) 

Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal should be destructive towards the business end of the World Cup since pitches will be dry and put India in an advantageous position, reckons former Australia batsman Michael Hussey.

Chahal has taken eight wickets in four matches while ‘Chinaman’ Yadav, who came into the tournament struggling for form, has managed to dismiss just three batsmen thus far.

However, Hussey said that it will change as the tournament progresses.

“Looking at the Indian team, they are wonderfully balanced team. They have got all bases covered well and towards the back end of the tournament as the pitches (are) going to be dry and more used, the spinners would get to play more role,” Hussey told PTI in an interview.

Kuldeep and Chahal have been India’s premier spinners since 2018 in white-ball cricket.(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

“And that is where India have got a big advantage over lot of other teams. They have got two quality wrist spinners (Kuldeep  and Chahal), who can be match-winners. India are brilliantly placed at the moment,they have got lot of fire power in different departments and I expect them to certainly get to the semi-finals and possibly the final.”

Michael Hussey

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's slow knock against Afghanistan drew flack from various quarters but Hussey, who has worked closely with him in Chennai Super Kings, did not read too much into it.

Dhoni was criticised for his slow innings against Afghanistan. (Photo Courtesy: AP)

“I think he (Dhoni) is crucially important to this Indian team. It's difficult, coming in and trying to bat against these mystery spinners, rotate the strike, it is challenging. You are not sure which way the ball is turning,” said Hussey.

“On a slow pitch, it makes pretty tough (for) batting. The other batsman (Kedar Jadhav) was also struggling to rotate strike (in the Afghanistan) game. So I wouldn’t be stressing too much on it.”

Michael Hussey

“Dhoni plays the fast bowlers early in the innings, he can rotate them a little-bit easier. I think Afghanistan was one of trickier games for someone like MS,” he added.

Hussey also said that the defending champions Australia have a great chance to retain the title.

Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals of ICC World Cup 2019.(Photo Courtesy: AP)

“I think they have a great chance now because they have qualified for the semi-finals. The team is playing is playing well. The top order (skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner) is doing a great job with the bat and Mitchell Starc with the ball.”

Michael Hussey

“I have been little bit worried about the fourth and fifth bowling options for Australia, but they are starting to get better, with someone like (Jason) Behrendorff coming in, and who has done a good job in the last match. I thought Nathon Lyon also did a good job,” he added.

“Australia have a proud record in history of World Cup and they want to keep that going, they know how to win those big games,” said Hussey, who has played 79 Tests and 185 ODIs.

When asked if Australia were too dependent on their opening pair, Hussey said that many teams, including India, depend on a couple of key players.

Warner and Finch have been in top form for Australia, who are at the top of the order.(Photo Courtesy: AP)

“You look at New Zealand, it is dependent on (Kane) Williamson, India are very dependent on Rohit (Sharma) and Virat Kohli, so every team has its key players and it is about other guys pulling good performances when needed and Australian team can do that.”

Michael Hussey

“(Usman) Khawaja had a good knock, (Steve) Smith had a good knock, Glenn Maxwell has got that X-factor and we haven't probably seen the power of Marcus Stonis yet but on his day he can be destructive,” he said.

“They haven't had to play big roles just yet because the likes of Warner, Finch and probably Smith to a lesser degree have done a good job so far,” he added.