Shane Watson: Depth in Indian cricket 'incredibly strong'; Virat Kohli’s team can dominate like Australia

Chennai: Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson feels the current Indian team led by Virat Kohli has the wherewithal to dominate like the great Australian sides captained by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

"He (Kohli) has done a great job with the Indian team. He has been playing so well in all formats. Whatever he is doing right now is certainly working and the team is responding to his leadership," Watson said at an event in Chennai on Monday (October 14).

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Asked if India could dominate in the manner done by Australian sides of the past led by Waugh and Ponting, he said: "it is going to be hard to replicate..but there is no reason why India can't do it."

"There is no doubt that India has got the depth in all facets... batting, bowling and fielding. The depth in Indian cricket is incredibly strong. It has got the luxury of having someone like a Rohit Sharma opening the batting and scoring lots of runs. The depth in Indian cricket is incredible... I am sure this team can win away from home as well," Watson, who plays for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said.

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In the ongoing three-Test series against South Africa at home, India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead. When they won in Pune on Sunday (October 13), they created history by breaking Australia’s record.

India have won now 11 consecutive Test series at home. Australia had won 10 at a stretch, twice, under the captaincy of Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

The third and final Test of the Freedom Series will start in Ranchi on October 19. The winners will claim the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy.

On Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future, Watson said, “He has still got the skill. But it is down to him to decide. He still moves incredibly well, runs hard between the wickets and has beautiful hands. Whatever he does, it will be the right thing because he knows what lies ahead.”