Australian veteran Mike Hussey, who knows quite well about the current crop of India players, feels that all-rounder Hardik Pandya's absence will "hurt" his squad in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
After suffering a lower-back injury during the Asia Cup, Pandya is undergoing rehabilitation.
"I think Hardik is a wonderful talent and I am sure his game style would have been suited to the Australian conditions. Add to that, the balance he offers the team with his all-round abilities, yes I think his absence will hurt India," Hussey told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Despite the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, the favorites India could face a different challenge with the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari set to face the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for the first time.
"I do think India have a good chance as they have an excellent team with some very good fast bowlers. However, I think Australia's bowling attack is world class and will challenge the Indian team, particularly the younger players in Australian conditions. Australia always plays well at home and hence will be very hard to beat."
However, Mr. Cricket feels that Indian skipper Virat Kohli remains the biggest threat to the hosts and reckoned that Aussie bowlers need to be patient while bowling against him.
The 30–year-scored four hundreds during the 2014-15 series.
"The Australians will prepare well against Kohli, but it comes down to execution. In my view the Aussies need to be incredibly patient and disciplined for long periods of time against a world class player like Kohli," said the 43-year-old, who has played 79 Tests and 185 ODIs for Australia.
The series starts on December 6 in Adelaide.