Team India has come in for a lot of criticism after their woeful 3-1 loss in the Test series in England. Former players, from different countries, are of the opinion that the team does not have the stomach for a fight outside the subcontinent.
India are set to travel to Australia later this year, and there are now concerns on how the team will fare in the four-match Test series. Glenn McGrath, a former Australia pacer, reckons India will be blanked 4-0.
"To be honest, I can't see India winning a Test match, so my prediction is as it usually is - I predict Australia to win and win 4-0," the 44-year-old told ESPNCricinfo.
India are scheduled to tour Australia during December-January, and will play four Tests and a triangular competition involving England.
The last time India toured Australia they were hammered 4-0 in the Tests. The upcoming series is crucial for India, ahead of the 2015 World Cup in Australia-New Zealand.
Australia had destroyed England 5-0 in the last Ashes at home. And the former Aussie pacer is of the opinion that if Michael Clarke's side display the same aggressiveness they showed against England, the Indians will be in for a very hard time.
"England when they toured Australia last year, they were well and truly beaten 5-0. Now they have well and truly beaten India 3-1. It's going to be a tough series for India in Australia. If Australia play anywhere near as they have been, then they are going to be really tough to beat," McGrath pointed out.
A lot of hard work lies ahead for MS Dhoni's men and adjustments have to be made if India are to even compete Down Under, according to McGrath. Team India needs to desperately improve in all the departments of the game if they plan to somehow turn the tide, the veteran added.
"For India to be competitive in the upcoming Australia series, a lot of things have to change. Their fielding, their batting, their bowling (to a degree), they've got a lot of work to do in the next few months," McGrath reckoned.
Meanwhile, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly stressed that preparation is of the essence for India before embarking on what could be a gruelling tour of Australia.
"No doubt it will be a very tough series and that is all the more reason why we need to be best prepared before taking on the likes of Mitchell Johnson," Economic Times quoted Ganguly.
India play a couple of tour games, both of which last for two days. Ganguly was of the opinion that this is not adequate and it is essential that India get used to the conditions before the first Test in Brisbane.
"That's just not enough when you are going to face Australia in Australia. You need at least four or five innings to get used to the bounce and conditions. India does have a say in the itinerary and it is important we ensure the boys are adequately prepared," he stressed.
