Former Australia pace spearhead Brett Lee feels India will be too strong a challenge for New Zealand when the two sides lock horns in the upcoming three-match Test cricket rubber, starting with the first match on 22 September in Kanpur. Hailing India’s Test side as “well-balanced”, the 39-year-old said India seriously looks to be the superior side on paper with a strong batting line-up.
I think India will be too strong for New Zealand. India has got a lot of options in the batting order. It’s a power-packed one, you got Shikhar (Dhawan) putting his hand up after losing his opportunity. They got a serious bowling line-up as well. I think they are a well-balanced side.Brett Lee, Former Australian Bowler
The cricketer-turned-commentator also congratulated India, who will feature in their 500th Test, when the Virat Kohli-led side takes on the Kiwis in the first match at the Green Park stadium.
“It’s a great honour for India to play 500 Test matches. It’s going to be terrific series featuring three Test matches against New Zealand. I feel it’s really going to be an exciting one,” Lee said.
After the series against New Zealand, India have a long Test season at home with England playing five Tests at the end of the year besides a solitary match against Bangladesh, followed by another four against Australia in the new year.