The Rediff interview / Nasser Hussain

'My Indian roots will always be there.
But I'm here for England'

Nasser Hussain led England to four successive Test series wins in 2000-2001 -- a first for England since 1979, when the team marked wins over Zimbabwe, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

More significantly, the double triumph in Pakistan and Sri Lanka meant that England became only the second touring side ever to win two series back to back on the sub-continent -- matching the achievement of Richie Benaud's Australian side 41 years ago.

You would say that these figures put England in the driver's seat as it prepares to take on India in a three-Test series. But the Madras-born Hussain finds himself -- thanks to Osama bin Laden and related developments -- leading an inexperienced side on what in international cricket counts as the toughest assignment, to wit, taking on India in India.

No player in the current side, including the skipper himself, has ever played cricket in this country.

And yet, he believes he has a secret weapon -- pressure. Which, he thinks, will be heavily on India to win in front of its home crowd.

Hussain spoke to Faisal Shariff. Excerpts:

You are leading a largely inexperienced side, none of you has ever played here...?

It is a great challenge, no doubt about that. But there is a bonus in having a young side. There are no superstars in the dressing room and that is a good thing. We have players who are young and fresh. I will be giving out a few Test debut caps and that always raises the mood in the dressing room. The challenge is tough, but a testing one and it will show the true calibre of this side under difficult situations. We learnt about it in Pakistan and then learnt about it again in Sri Lanka.

How do you view the Test series?

I would like to believe that the pressure is on India. They are doing badly in South Africa. We might win if we stay in the game. If we fold up for 50 then there is not much that can be done. But if we're patient and stay in the game then you never know.

We are a fresh side and the Zimbabwe trip was a good springboard for us. But, then again, Zimbabwe was different and India will be a different experience. We have no worries at the moment -- apart from Tendulkar.

How do you rate the current Indian team?

It's a good side, with some great batters in the side. Sachin Tendulkar is easily the best batsman in the world today. You have Javagal Srinath with the two-left arm bowlers who are pretty accurate. Ashish Nehra impresses me a lot. Harbhajan and Kumble in tandem will be the real threat.

I am here to learn and I'm here to see how Sachin bats. We're all here to learn. I would like to put some pressure on them. They are treated like gods here and if they lose they will get the people and the media behind their backs.

What role has your father played in your career?

He has played a very important role in my life, leave alone my career. I used to go to the Chepauk stadium when I was young and that pushed me into the sport. My Indian roots will always be there. But I'm here for England and I want to win for England.

You recently made a comment saying that people of Asian origin should support their adopted country.

Never believe what you read in the newspapers. I was talking about the third and fourth generation expats. I was born in India and I am happy to be a part of India. The statement had nothing to do with my dad going to India. When I moved to England I was English and I lead the England team as an Englishman.

Where would you place your bets on in the series?

Am not sure if I am allowed to take bets but no doubt India start favourites India, at home, is a world-beater. Make no mistake, they are easily the best in the world at home. We are the underdogs. But I don't think of defeat You don't start a series thinking of losing. If we do lose it will be because of cricketing reasons.

Have you worked out any plans for Sachin Tendulkar?

Not many in the world have worked out Sachin Tendulkar. So I am not trying to do that either. But we have a very smart coach in Duncan Fletcher and I am sure he has some cunning plans for Sachin.

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