Clarke and Co. Among weakest sides to tour India: Kulkarni

Describing the Australian team currently touring India as one of the weakest sides, former cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni today pointed out that the below-par showing of the tweakers has affected the visitors' performance in the ongoing Test series against India.
"Looking at the performance, definitely it is one of the weaker Australia teams to have toured India in the recent past. The performance is reflecting as well," said the former India left-arm spinner on the sidelines of Salaam Bombay Cricket Academy's tournament here.
"It (Australian spin attack) is inexperienced. As a batsman when you get a hundred it's a habit, likewise as a spinner you need to pick up a five-wicket haul and that makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, Australia is lacking currently in that department," he said.

In contrast, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed two five-wicket hauls in the first Test match that India won by eight wickets at Chennai and bagged another in the second innings of the second Test that the hosts won by an innings and 135 runs at Hyderabad.
India, who won the third game at Mohali yesterday by six wickets, have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match rubber against the Michael Clarke-led visiting side.
Kulkarni, who played three Tests and 10 ODIs, said the hosts always had an upper hand considering Australia's weak bowling attack.
"We always had the upper hand, considering Australia's weak bowling attack. If you can't get 20 wickets then you are struggling to win a Test match. In India it is even more challenging because if spinners can't get you 20 wickets then you are struggling.

"It was expected to a large extent and I am happy that India is doing well. People criticise when they don't do well so you need to praise them when they do well," said the lanky 39-year-old former player.