Zampa loves the India challenge

Zampa enjoyed one of the best series of his career against India in March last year, with 11 wickets at 25.81 in Australia’s 3-2 success. But he was taken apart by the same side in the World Cup just months later, hit for 0-60 from just seven overs as Shikhar Dhawan did the damage. Zampa insists the World Cup disappointment won’t be on his mind when Australia begins its three-match series in Mumbai.

“Probably in hindsight that game against India at The Oval, the plans I bowled to in India weren’t really … you can’t just move them over to The Oval,” Zampa said. “Last time we played India in India, the wickets were quite dry and spun a bit. During the World Cup it wasn’t really the case. The Indians are the best players in the world, particularly of spin. So being a leg-spinner you can’t be too hard on yourself.”

Zampa’s record against the host stands up against most. His average of 31.46 in India is third only to Hogan and Shane Warne, while Virat Kohli is his most dismissed player in international cricket having claimed his scalp three times in ODIs and twice in T20s.