The Hindu : Sport : Border predicts series win for India

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Border predicts series win for India

Sports Reporter

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

ADVANTAGE INDIA: Allan Border feels that India will utilise the home advantage and prevail in the ODI series against Australia.

NEW DELHI: Former captain Allan Border rated India as the favourite to win the ongoing ODI series against Australia, which is troubled by injuries to key players. Border predicted a 4-3 series win for the host.

“India are the favourites for this series as they have the advantage of playing at home and they know the conditions well. Australia are slightly in the rebuilding process, but I would not discount them. They have won the last five major competitions and it depends on how the next five games go,” Border said here on Thursday.

“My heart hopes Australia, but I would not be surprised if India win,” he said.

About the injury worries of the Australian side, Border said it was because of “the amount of cricket they are playing.”

However, Border argued that the Australian side under Ricky Ponting was more skilful than the previous Aussie teams. “The game has moved forward. The abilities and skills have improved. There is more professionalism and the coaching and training regime has improved... the current team will beat teams of the past,” he said.

Border said it was difficult to find replacements for great players like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. “It is difficult to get those quality players. They are hard to replace though young talents are coming up. The hardest person to replace is Warne. Those are big shoes to fill.”

Commenting on the war of words between Indian captain M.S. Dhoni and Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, Border said, “The Indian boys give as good as they get. Both are competitive sides. It’s okay as long as it does not spill over.”

Rates Dhoni highly

Talking about the Indian team, Border said the batting line-up had some good hitters and the attack had a few good bowlers. Dhoni had the largest share of appreciation from Border. “I rate M.S. (Dhoni) highly. He is a very aggressive cricketer and has brought in that attitude in the Indian team. Sourav Ganguly was very good. M.S. will take the team to another level,” Border said.

Asked about the 20-year-old international career of Sachin Tendulkar, Border said the batting maestro should cut down on playing ODIs and T20s in order to extend his longevity in Tests.

“But, it is his personal decision, he is so passionate about cricket,” Border said.

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