IND vs AUS 2023: India tour is hardest but Australia have an incredibly well-balanced Test team – Justin Langer

Former Australian head coach Justin Langer admitted that touring India is the hardest but feels Australia has an incredibly well-balanced Test team. Australia had last won a Test series in India back in 2004 and they are going to have their work cut out in the tough Indian conditions.

In fact, India won their previous two series against Australia while playing in Australian conditions. However, Australia has been in good form recently as they defeated the West Indies and South Africa by 2-0 and they will be looking to carry the same confidence in India.

Australia has in-form batters such as David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head and they will be looking to deliver against the potent Indian team.

“It’s not sadness, I’ve moved on. I won’t be there, but I’ll be looking forward to seeing the boys win there. It’d be great if they could. I can’t wait to watch it. It’s the hardest tour. I look back to 2004 when Australia won for the first time in 35 years, it has a similar feel about it,” Langer said while speaking to The Age.

Langer admitted that winning in tough Indian conditions is akin to climbing Mt. Everest.

“It was a very balanced and confident team. The current team are winning and I think they’re a huge chance to beat India. That was my Mt Everest tour. I always said I wanted to be able to do it again because it was so hard to do.

The former Australian opener backed Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to deliver the goods for the visitors as they have all the experience, though it will be the first tour of India for the latter.

“Australia have two senior pros at the top. They’ve got No.3 and No.4, averaging 60 and they’re best mates. They’re hungry and they play spin well. Travis Head is batting at a different level. He’s been inspired by that top four. Cameron Green will hopefully come back in, which gives really good balance. You’ve got the best fast bowling attack in the world and you’ve got the best spinner in the world. My gosh, they have an incredibly well-balanced team,” Langer added.

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Nagpur from February 9.

Australia Test squad for India tour: Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.