Brett Lee Recommends Taking Mayank Yadav to Australia If Shami is Unavailable

If Mohammed Shami is not available for selection, then Mayank Yadav should be on that plane to Australia," said one of the most devastatingly destructive bowlers Brett Lee, who has high hopes from the Indian pace sensation on the true, bouncy wickets Down Under. India will be looking to advance to a third successive World Test Championship final when they travel to Australia next month in order to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, although there are still doubts over the continued selection of experienced seamer Shami in the squad for the five-match Test series.

"I can tell you that batters are alright 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 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 told Fox Cricket.

Shami hasn't played since he turned up for the final of the ODI World Cup last November and though he went full tilt in the nets recently, India skipper Rohit Sharma is averse to taking an "undercooked" version of the seamer to Australia. Former Aussie pacer Lee knows a thing or two about batters' discomfort while standing up to express pace. It is very satisfying for me to be associated with IPL and to be able to see some of the great young Indian cricketers. Mayank Yadav, whom I just watched play his first match recently, came out and bowled 157 kmph on debut in his first game. "Sadly, his franchise probably brought him a little earlier and he did his side again. They put him in cotton wool for a bit. The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played or hasn't played, if he is ready to go, get him in there. I actually love that theory," Lee added.

India possess a world-class bowling attack that can trouble the Australian batters in their own den, and Lee acknowledged that.

"Ashwin is approaching 600 wickets, he has got that beautiful shape when he bowls spin. He can bowl with the new ball as well but I think if India have to win there, then Shami (provided he is fit) can definitely hold the key.". "Jasprit Bumrah, we all know how good he is, he can bowl both ways, he is a great exponent of reverse swing. Mohammed Siraj knows how to make the new ball talk.". "On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it's the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner. Then they have got options with guys like who are part-time spinners. But you need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win," Lee said.

India is a powerhouse that don't want to bow down, Says Brett Lee

"This day and age, India is a powerhouse that don't want to bow down." Lee described the Indian team as a "powerhouse that don't want to bow down" to anyone, cautioning his compatriots who will take on the Asian giants from November 22. Lee's remarks came after India's eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test earlier this week. They know how to win and know that they can beat Australia; they know they can beat the Kiwis. They know they can beat anyone on any given day," Lee said. Commenting on India's outing in the Bengaluru Test against the Kiwis, Lee felt that they might have got influenced by 'Bazball', leading to playing some loose shots.
"India just didn't go into their shell.". Maybe it's Bazball rubbing off on other cricketers around the world," he said. "I know that India won't be proud of the way they played. They played some pretty loose shots." India's decision to bat first in overcast conditions surprised many, and the side was bowled out for 46 in the first innings of the opening Test, its lowest Test score at home. Lee said the side needs to weigh up the risk factor and added the Indians should have judged the conditions better.
But, you've got to weigh up the risk factor as well. There are times when you've just got to go, 'Okay, well, maybe the big shots aren't working today'. Maybe, just rein it in a little bit. I dont think they sort of summed up the conditions as quickly as what they should have done, Lee said. India play two more Tests against New Zealand — Pune (October 24-28) and Mumbai (November 1-5) — before leaving for Australia.