Perth, Jan 9 : The Indian cricket team seems down and out after back-to-back losses but senior Australian batsman Michael Hussey remains wary of the tourists as he feels their “pride and experience” can conquer the intimidating conditions that await them in the third Test starting here on Friday.
“The goal is to go 3-0...and we haven't spoken about 4-0 yet. To go 3-0 up will be an awesome achievement but the Indians have great players with a lot of experience and pride.
I am expecting them to bounce back quite hard in this Test,” stated Hussey who has run into form with successive innings of 89 and unbeaten 150 in the last two Tests.
“This pitch will have extra pace and bounce. We play very well in these conditions but this is different to Indians from their home country.
Yet, as I said, they have unbelievable experience; they have been here before and performed well. They can adapt to conditions pretty quickly,” he added.
It was the Indians' pride and steely determination which made them win the last encounter between the two teams at this venue in 2007-08.
“I remember the last Test very well. There was controversy coming into this Test (after Sydney) and it sort of galvanised them.
They came here with a steely determination to do well.“At that time I didn't feel so but it did affect the team (Australian) a little bit with what was happening outside cricket. But they also played some outstanding cricket.
It was the birth of Ishant Sharma who bowled unbelievably well. It was phenomenal bowling. Indians were too good in that game.”
The team of 2007-08 was brilliantly led on that occasion by Anil Kumble and the present one is also being headed by someone whom Hussey regards as a very good captain.
The Australian left-hander batsman plays for Chennai Super Kings and has had the opportunity to view Mahendra Singh Dhoni from close quarters.
