‘Kumble, Bhajji will maul Aussies conducive track’

Pragyan Ojha has done his own assessment of Australia’s famed batting line-up and the left-arm spinner believes elder craftsmen Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh would maul the visitors in the forthcoming Test series if they get a little help from the tracks.

Along with Piyush Chawla, Ojha has been instrumental in exposing Australian top-order vulnerability against spin attack and he believes crisis would only compound for Ricky Ponting and his men if India rolls out turners and unleashes Kumble and Harbhajan. “It would depend on the track but though Australia have a strong line-up especially with Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey in the ranks I think they would be in trouble if the track offers help to the spinners,” said Ojha, who claimed three of the nine Australian wickets claimed by the Indian spinners in their first innings.

Leg-spinner Chawla was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming five, while captain Yuvraj Singh also finished with one.

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Ojha said the track at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad had nothing for the spinner and still he and Chawla did a smart job. In wickets which is more spinner-friendly, Australia might find itself in real trouble.

Besides, Kumble and Harbhajan’s vast experience would also come handy when they take on the Australians.

“Both Anil bhai and Harbhajan are hugely experience and can hit the good areas consistently. It would be quite a problem for the Australians,” said the youngster.