Brett Lee, the legendary Australian fast bowler renowned for his blistering pace, has thrown his weight behind young Indian speedster Mayank Yadav for the upcoming tour of Australia. Lee, known for his insightful commentary, believes Yadav should be included in the squad, especially if seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami is unavailable due to his recovery from injury.
Lee’s endorsement of Yadav stems from his belief that the young bowler possesses the potential to excel on the bouncy and true Australian pitches. He is particularly impressed with Yadav’s raw pace and believes he could pose a formidable challenge to Australian batsmen.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Lee emphasized Yadav’s ability to deliver thunderous deliveries, stating, “I can tell you that batters are okay when you bowl that 135-140 kmph speed, but when you bowl high 150s, I don’t care who it is, no one wants to face that.” He added, “He looks like someone who is a complete package, if Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets.”
Lee’s remarks come at a time when there is uncertainty surrounding Shami’s availability for the five-match Test series. Although the experienced seamer has been undergoing intense training sessions, Indian captain Rohit Sharma remains cautious about including him in the squad if he isn’t fully fit.
Beyond Yadav’s selection, Lee also highlighted India’s formidable bowling lineup and their ‘powerhouse’ mentality, warning Australian fans that the Indian team is not one to be underestimated. “This day and age, India is a powerhouse that don’t want to bow down. They know how to win, and they know they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis. They know they can beat anyone on any given day,” Lee said.
Lee’s comments follow India’s recent eight-wicket loss to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test, where he suggested that the Indian team might have been influenced by the ‘Bazball’ approach, leading to some loose shot selections. He observed, “India just didn’t go into their shell. Maybe it’s Bazball brushing off on other cricketers around the world.”
Lee’s observations, however, are coupled with a belief in India’s resilience and their ability to bounce back from setbacks. He acknowledged that India, despite the recent loss, remains a potent force in world cricket, and will be a formidable opponent for Australia in the upcoming series. He concluded, “I know that India won’t be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots.”
The upcoming Australia tour holds immense significance for India, who are aiming to secure their spot in the third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final. The series, a crucial step in their journey towards the final, promises to be an intense battle between two cricketing giants. Lee’s insights offer valuable perspective on India’s strengths and the challenges they face in their quest to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.