Tim Paine, the former Australian captain, has shared his thoughts on losing to India on home soil in 2020/21, comparing the defeat to England’s current series loss in India. He stated that he “knows what it’s like to be beaten by an Indian B team.”
In response, Paine said, “I know what it’s like to be beaten by an Indian B team. Unfortunately, it happened to us on our home soil. But yes, some huge names out for India, which should have certainly helped the English. I thoroughly enjoy watching England play the game, I love the way they are going about it. I love watching them lose. Don’t get me wrong but they are entertaining and exciting.”
Speaking on the Around the Wicket podcast with Brad Haddin, Paine highlighted the absence of players like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah from the Indian team, suggesting that England had the opportunity to capitalize on these absences. Despite this, Paine stated that he enjoys watching England play and finds them entertaining, although he admitted to relishing their losses.
In the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia was defeated by India, who won the final Test in dramatic fashion to secure a 2-1 series victory. During that series, then captain Virat Kohli was on paternity leave after the first Test, and key players like Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hanuma Vihari were all unavailable at various points due to injury or other reasons.
Speaking on the Around the Wicket podcast with Brad Haddin, Paine discussed the comparison between that series and England’s current series in India. Haddin remarked on the absence of several key Indian players, stating that England had been playing against the Indian B team. He highlighted the depth in Indian cricket, noting the emergence of young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“But they have been playing against the Indian B team because there has been no Kohli, no Shami, Bumrah got rested last Test, KL Rahul is out and Rishabh Pant is still making his way back from that accident,” said Haddin.
“They are not their strongest team but it just goes to show that the depth in Indian cricket is huge because there are some big names coming into this next era of Indian cricket. Jaiswal is leading the charge; young Jurel was magnificent in the last Test as well. So India are looking very strong.”
Paine responded with: “I know what it’s like to be beaten by an Indian B team. Unfortunately, it happened to us on our home soil. But yes, some huge names out for India, which should have certainly helped the English. I thoroughly enjoy watching England play the game, I love the way they are going about it. I love watching them lose. Don’t get me wrong but they are entertaining and exciting.”
Paine has been known for his outspoken nature, having previously made controversial comments about the England team, including criticism of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram