Tim Paine absolutely loves watching bitter rivals England lose any series but the former Australia captain knows what it is like to be beaten by an Indian ‘B’ team in Test cricket.
No one knows what it feels like to lose to a second-string Indian side better than Paine, who was the Australian captain during 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India claimed a famous 2-1 series win away from home.
The then captain, Virat Kohli, had flown back home after the first Test, Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the first two games, pacers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav were out with injuries, and no Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah, who were unavailable for the final Test in Gabba. Still, Ajinkya Rahane led a pack of spirited youngsters to hand India a memorable series victory.
“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,” Paine said speaking to compatriot Brad Haddin on the ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast.
It is England’s first series loss under coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes.
“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 added.
The former wicketkeeper batter had previously stirred a major controversy when he criticised Jonny Bairstow after the stumping controversy during the 2023 Ashes series and labelled England skipper Ben Stokes as “selfish” after reversing his decision to retire from ODIs before the 2023 World Cup.
Haddin too agreed that England were undone by an Indian ‘B’ team in the ongoing series. “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.”
Haddin lauded India’s bench strength and had words of appreciation for the younger generation. “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.”
