World Cup 2015: Mohinder Amarnath Worried Over India's Failure To Adapt To Australian Pitches

Expressing concern over the Indian players failure to adapt to Australian playing conditions even after spending more than two months Down Under, former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath Saturday rued the non-inclusion of leg spinner Amit Mishra, speaking of his effectiveness in the World Cup. (World Cup 2015: Spotlight On Fitness As India Take On Australia In Warm-Up Tie)

Amarnath, who played a stellar role in India's first World Cup triumph in 1983, said the team's batsmen were still unable to judge the bounce of the wicket.

"The problem which the Indians are facing both in batting and bowling is that they have not yet come to terms with the nature of the wicket, although they have been in Australia for over two months now," Amarnath said at a press conference here. (Injured Ishant Sharma Fails Fitness Test, May Not Play World Cup)

Amarnath bagged the Man-of-the-Match award in both the semi-final and final of India's triumphant march 32 years ago.

"The batsmen are still to judge the bounce of the wicket and trying to play shots, the way they play in the sub-continent where the bounce is low. In Australia, the bounce is higher and the ball comes higher on to the bat, so the batsman will have to make adjustments," he said. (Rohit Sharma Raring to Make Up for Missing Last World Cup)

Amarnath also asserted that India missed out by not selecting Mishra.

"India's strength has always been spin and it certainly will be crucial how they perform. But I think the selectors missed out by not opting for a leg spinner.

"They should have picked Amit Mishra as leg spin can play a great part on Australian wickets. During the 1985 tour to Australia Laxman Shiva Rama Krishnan played a crucial role," added Amarnath.

Amarnath singled out batsman Virat Kohli to be the key behind India's bid to defend their World Cup title under the testing Australian conditions.

"Virat is the key from India's point of view. The way he is batting, his approach, the way he understands the situation and reacts, that is the key. Definitely Kohli is the key, but that doesn't mean you are going to win the world cup depending only on him. Everybody has to contribute," said Amarnath who played a key role in India's maiden world cup triumph in 1983.

Observing that Kohli's style of batting was similar to that of Australian batting great Ricky Ponting, Amarnath also said the star Indian batsman was the ideal to bat at the crucial number three position.

"Virat should ideally come in at number three. He is similar in his style to Ricky Ponting. He is aggressive and ready to take the challenge and perform under pressure," said Amarnath.