Mumbai: Former Australian skipper and commentator Ian Chappell has warned Steve Smith-led side to tighten up their game after witnessing a humiliation England faced at the hands of India in the recently concluded Test series.
While Alastair Cook-led side managed to draw the first Test in Rajkot, Virat Kohli and Co dismantled England side in the next four Tests to win the five-match series 4-0. Although the Indian team was criticised for using spinner-friendly pitched during their series wins against South Africa and New Zealand, the triumph against England was lauded across the cricketing world.
Chappell, in his column for ‘espncricinfo’, warned the Australian team, saying: “India have just sent England packing with their tail between their legs and that humiliation should be a warning to Australia: pick specialists rather than players who do a bit of each.”
“England regularly selected three specialist batsmen and a slew of allrounders of varying standard. It is asking for trouble to man the crucial No. 4 spot with your main spinner and a player who, in other regions, bats at No. 8,” Chappell added.
“Of late, it doesn’t seem to matter what combination India utilise, it’s the right one. India have a seemingly endless production line of prolific young batsmen; huge totals plus the guile of spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have proved to be an irresistible combination,” concluded Chappell.