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India are a completely different outfit in limited-overs
Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey warned teams against underestimating India after their 0-2 loss in the Tests series, saying the visitors will be a confident side when they start their title defence in next month's World Cup.
Schedule: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
"The big positive for India is that they have already been in Australia for the last two months. They are now well-versed with the conditions, the pace and bounce of pitches. They also have a tri-series coming up involving England. So they have a good run before the World Cup starts and nobody should underestimate them because of the Test results.
"Don't read too much into the 2-0 scoreline, because not only did India compete hard in the Test series but they are a completely different outfit in limited-overs," Hussey said.
India lost the four-Test series against Australia after going down in the first two matches.
‘Indian attack looks better than the one in 2011’
Talking about India's performance in the just-concluded Test series, Hussey said the visitors' batting did well but the bowling lacked discipline.
"Well, the batting has completely changed and they have done well. Virat Kohli is a fantastic player and he has just scored runs by the heaps. I think this will continue for him," said Hussey, who was part of the Australian team during India's 2011 tour.
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"But, then, there have been others too, like Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane, giving support to Kohli. Something like that was missing in the 2011 tour. Not to mention they have been able to unearth a talent like K L Rahul. It is quite an achievement for a youngster to come to Australia and get a maiden Test ton.
"I dare say that this Indian attack looks better than the one in 2011 and they are all good bowlers individually. But there is a difference between being a good bowler and bowling good. And they have bowled poorly, lacking in discipline throughout the series.
"However, I also do believe that this series will serve as great exposure for them and they can learn a lot from this tour for the future."
Coaching is not on Hussey's radar at present
The ODI season in Australia begins this week with the tri-series against India and England, starting January 16. The after-taste of India's 2-0 loss in the four-Test series will slowly dissipate. However, with the ODI World Cup only a month away, the clock on Duncan Fletcher's reign as India coach is slowly ticking down.
Hussey, whose name started doing the round as soon as 2015 started, ruled himself out of the race, at least for the time being.
"The news that my name is in contention came as quite a surprise. I have known Mahendra Singh Dhoni for quite some time now and it is flattering to even think that he would think so highly of me. However, I haven't spoken with him on this matter and I don't know how much truth there is to this whole story.
"No one has talked to me about this and there have been no approaches to me from the BCCI at this stage to be the next Indian coach," said Hussey.
Asked if he would indeed be interested should the BCCI contact him, he replied: "To be honest, I haven't thought about it at all. At this stage in my career I am still playing cricket actively here in the Big Bash League and, of course, in the Indian Premier League as well. So I am not thinking about it at the moment.
"At some point in time, if I do think about it, well, India is a cricket-loving, cricket-mad nation, where a billion people support their team. I can only say that it will be one of the most exciting and huge challenges of my life if I ever get mixed up in an opportunity like this."
Clearly, coaching is not on Hussey's radar at present. But that isn't entirely true as well, as he is in the auction mix for the upcoming IPL season after being released by Mumbai Indians recently. There have been instances earlier of senior players taking a dual responsibility in the IPL.
"I am still looking to play on at the moment and I am keeping my options open. I have played for Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians so far in the IPL. The auction provides me a chance to play for one of those teams again or perhaps a new team this time around," he said.
‘I am no stranger to a dual playing-coaching role’
Asked if he will be willing to take up a dual playing-coaching role with an IPL team to shape his coaching future once he decides to stop playing, Hussey replied: "Well, yes. I am quite open to that. Even now, whether in the BBL or earlier in the IPL, I have often talked to youngsters both on and off the field, so I am no stranger to it.
"If the teams would like to put an official stamp on it that will be fine by me as well. Having said that, I haven't been in touch with any IPL team as yet to secure such an opportunity and I am waiting for the auction to happen."
‘We need Michael Clarke’
With the World Cup round the corner, Australia named injured Michael Clarke in their 15-member squad, giving the cricketer time till February 21 to prove his fitness.
Australia plays Bangladesh on February 21, before taking on New Zealand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Scotland in the group stage matches.
Part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2007, Hussey said Clarke should have been given time until the Sri Lanka game on March 8 to be fit.
"I'd be happy for Michael to miss the first four games. He's obviously a very important player; he's the captain, he has a lot of experience, he's played World Cups -- we need him. He should be given as much time as possible.
"That's just my opinion. They want to keep continuity; also, there is no guarantee he doesn't re-injure it. It's a really difficult situation for the selectors but, just on principle, my stance would (be) to try and give him as long as possible."