Shubman Gill looks like a real player for the future for India, says Michael Hussey

Shubman Gill made 91 in the second innings of the fourth Test in Brisbane. (AFP)

Dubai - Hussey admitted he was a bit surprised by how India managed to bounce back after being bowled out for 36 in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval

By Anis Sajan

Published: Fri 29 Jan 2021, 4:21 PM

Last updated: Fri 29 Jan 2021, 4:33 PM

Few days after the injury-ravaged Indian team’s remarkable Test series triumph against Australia, I had a chance to interview former Australia batsman Michael Hussey, who is known as Mr Cricket for the versatility he displayed in his heyday.

Hussey admitted he was a bit surprised by how India managed to bounce back after being bowled out for 36 in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval.

“I was certainly not writing India off at the stage, but I thought it was going to be difficult to come back from that, plus their captain (Virat Kohli) was going home. And of course, Mohammad Shami was injured as well. I thought that was going to be a massive loss, but I was really buoyed by Ajinkya Rahane’s comment at the toss at the MCG Test. He had a very positive attitude, he kept the guys nice and positive. He gave new players the opportunity and I think he got them to focus on the positive things. I think that really worked,” Hussey told me over a Zoom chat recently.

Hussey was surprised by the third Test wicket in Sydney which didn’t deteriorate on the final day. But he said Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin deserved all the praise for their heroic match-saving partnership.

“The (SCG) pitch held together (on the last day) really well. That gave India a chance when Rishabh Pant (97) was batting. We thought they were going for the win. But once he was dismissed and the injury to Vihari, they just wanted to shut up shop. The Australian bowlers tried very hard, but you have to give credit to India’s fighting capabilities to bat for so long,” he said.

Hussey said Australia suffered because their off spinner Nathan Lyon struggled in the four Test matches, getting only eight wickets compared to 21 he had got in the last series.

“But you have got to give credit to (Cheteshwar) Pujara, he showed a lot of courage in Brisbane. It was an important innings. He was wearing the Australian bowlers down. The other guys, Shubman Gill and Pant played around him. They were able to be more aggressive against the tiring attack,” he said.

Hussey then said that India had unearthed a gem in Gill.

“There were some wonderful performances from India. I think Gill’s innings was superb. He looks like a real player for the future for India. I love the way he goes about it. And of course, Pant played one of the most incredible innings I have seen.”