"Batters Will Have Their Own Plans": Pat Cummins On Combating India's Spin Attack

Australian captain Pat Cummins said negating Indian spinners on a Chepauk pitch that is expected to offer turn and grip in plenty would be the biggest challenge for his batters in their World Cup opener in Chennai on Sunday. India could be fielding three spinners in Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin against the Aussies. “They're a good bowling line-up, especially in home conditions. So, they're going to be challenging,” Cummins said in the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Saturday.

However, Cummins hoped that past experience of playing against the Indian spinners would stand them in good stead.

“The good thing is that we've played them a lot. So, our batters will have their own plans. We've had success against them a few times. They've bowled well against us a few times as well,” said Cummins.

Cummins also banked on the IPL experience of some Australian players to come up trumps against the tweakers.

“It's a ground (MA Chidambaram) we've played quite often. It feels like whenever we tour India, there seems to be a game here. A few of the guys have played for CSK as well, or you know, a fair bit here for IPL. So, it may serve us well,” said Cummins.

Recently, David Warner had batted right-handed against Ashwin in the second ODI at Rajkot, and Cummins did not rule out the possibility of the veteran opener adopting some novel strategy to counter the spin.

“Yeah, Davey, we'll see if he bats right-handed or left-handed. Yeah, he's probably better left-handed, I reckon, but we'll see how he goes,” said Cummins.

The five-time champions have thin spin options in their ranks in leg-spinner Adam Zampa and part-time offie Glenn Maxwell.

The all-rounder Maxwell took four wickets conceding 40 runs when