Irfan Pathan, who emerged as Indias key man as he kept his nerves to bowl the nail-biting last over of the tri-series final, has made it clear that the fall-out over a summer of discontent would be felt on the subcontinent when Australia tours in October.
Brisbane, Mar 6 : Irfan Pathan, who emerged as India's key man as he kept his nerves to bowl the nail-biting last over of the tri-series final, has made it clear that the fall-out over a summer of discontent would be felt on the subcontinent when Australia tours in October.
Asked what Australia could expect when it arrives in India, Pathan said: "What goes around comes around, mate."
"Of course we could claim No.1 status. Obviously from the way we played, beating Australia in Australia 2-0 is amazing," Pathan said.
Veteran batsman Virender Sehwag backed Pathan's call. "We beat the world champions so at the moment we are on the top."
India continued the mind games by insisting that it could claim to be the world one-day champion after downing Australia on its home turf.
Former BCCI President Inderjit Singh Bindra claimed that the Indians had acquired Australia's winning qualities and had beaten the world champions at their own game.
"More than the decline in Australian team the Indian team is on the up. They are taking the qualities one used to associate with the Australian team," The Australian quoted Bindra, as saying.
"They are fighters on the field, they learned from the Australians and I think it will be good for the game if there is competition on the field," he added.
ANI