Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has sounded a stark warning to his countrymen ahead of their forthcoming Test tour of India, admitting that Australia have “gone backwards” in their ability to play spin while praising India’s latest debutant, Manav Suthar, and captain Shubman Gill, as he backed India to mount a strong push for ICC World Test Championship qualification.
In an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, reflecting on India’s transition phase, the emergence of a new generation of Test stars and the road to the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the World Cup-winning former Aussie skipper offered candid insights into the current state of both cricketing heavyweights.
Suthar, the young left-arm spinner, marked his debut in Mullanpur against Afghanistan with a sensational six-wicket haul in his maiden Test innings, Clarke was effusive in his praise. He noted that Suthar possesses all the necessary raw materials to forge a long and successful career at the highest level.
“Any Test debut like that – it doesn’t matter who you play against – is impressive,” Clarke told RevSportz. “The way he bowls is fantastic. That shape out of his hand, he gets the ball to drift. His skill of varying line, length, change of pace… I think he’s got everything that’s required to have success at the highest level, and he’s got age on his side as well.”
Clarke, who was in Mullanpur to commentate on the India-Afghanistan Test match, emphasised that breaking into India’s spin cartel is historically one of the toughest jobs in cricket, but a six-wicket haul on debut provides an immeasurable psychological boost.
“I think your debut is about feeling like you’re ready to play at the highest level,” he explained. “But if you actually go out and do it, it actually gives that self-belief and that self-confidence so much more. It goes from ‘I think I can’ to ‘I know I can.’ And he certainly showed that.”
With Australia scheduled to tour India early next year, the threat of Indian spin looms large. Even with veteran stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin retired and Ravindra Jadeja in the twilight of his career, Clarke believes India’s slow bowlers remain a monumental threat to an increasingly vulnerable Australian batting line-up.
“I see three spinners being a big threat. If I was India, I’d be producing wickets that turn; there’s no doubt about it,” Clarke asserted bluntly. “Australia has struggled to play spin bowling. If anything, I think we’ve gone backwards, not forwards, when it comes to facing spin bowling. We’ve just come off a loss in Pakistan in a one-day series – again, spinners bowled us out.
“So, yeah, I’ve got some real concerns about the way Australia is playing spin bowling. Our luxury is we’ve got Nathan Lyon, who is a wonderful bowler, a world-class bowler. So, hopefully, Lyon stays fit. We’ll need him over here. We’ve got to also find some other spin-bowling options, which we’ve got, but they’ve got to work out who the best is. But I would imagine Australia will need to prepare to face a lot of spin when they come to India.”
India’s Test side is navigating a distinct transition period, missing the seasoned services of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ashwin. Yet Clarke remains highly impressed by the tactical acumen of Shubman Gill, who recently registered his 11th Test century while seamlessly stepping into the leadership role.
“His batting is fantastic. I like him at number four; I think that’s the right position for him in Test cricket, especially if he’s captain,” Clarke observed. “I think tactically he’s been outstanding… the way he used spin bowling in this Test has been very impressive, and the fields he’s set – quite attacking as well. Indian cricket is in very good hands under Shubman.”
Guiding this young core is head coach Gautam Gambhir. With India going through a transition phase in Tests, Clarke threw his support behind his former on-field rival, praising Gambhir’s unwavering conviction.
“He loves winning – he did as a player as well – and he’s very happy doing it the way he thinks is best for his team,” Clarke remarked. “As a head coach these days, there’s a lot of distractions, and same as a captain, there’s a lot of criticism that comes your way. I think you need to have the courage to back yourself, back your team, and do it your way, and I think Gambhir is doing that.”
To qualify for the World Test Championship final, India face a gruelling mathematical equation – they must win seven or eight of their remaining nine matches. This demanding cycle includes two Tests in Sri Lanka, two in New Zealand, and a massive five-match blockbuster series against Australia at home early next year.
When asked about India’s chances of navigating this daunting schedule, Clarke remained optimistic but realistic about the immediate priorities.
“Going to be tough! But they’re good enough,” Clarke concluded. “Playing in Sri Lanka is hard – different conditions, a lot more variation in the surface. New Zealand…swing bowling, going to be tough. But first and foremost, India needs to get back to making it very hard for any team that tours India. They shouldn’t lose games in their own country.
“They can qualify, there’s no doubt about it, but they’re going to have to be at their best. But three great series to look forward to: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, then Australia here. Exciting time, exciting Test cricket for India, for Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.”
For more updates on Indian cricket, follow RevSportz
The post EXCLUSIVE | “Indian Cricket is in Very Good Hands”: Michael Clarke Backs the Gill-Gambhir Era, India’s WTC Push and Warns Aussies appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
