Matthew Hayden: India don't believe they can win away from home

Hayden (in pic) praised Vijay and Kohli for their fine efforts in the series. 

Former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden, said that India do not seem to believe they can win away from home and have gone 'missing' during key moments of the ongoing Test series against Australia.

"India's biggest weakness is that they don't believe they can win away from home. Whether it is starting the day badly or not finishing an innings like they should -- they seem to go missing at key moments," Hayden wrote in a column for The Daily Telegraph.

"The noise around the team isn't great either. Putting the food issue aside (which I think is embarrassing for Australia because grounds should be making an extra effort to provide the food, the visitors require), you feel like India are searching for an excuse," he said.

Hayden said that the controversy generated by Shikhar Dhawan's refusal to come out to bat on the fourth day in Brisbane after being hit on his wrist in the nets, was a reflection of India's timid approach.

"Shikhar Dhawan not coming out to bat on Day 4 in Brisbane speaks of his mindset. Fear of failure is more often than not a powerful motivator and the great players like Steve Waugh use that to their advantage. Dhawan's decision clearly caused confusion in the Indian camp and his troops, revealing the fragility of this powerful Indian team," he explained.

Hayden also took a dig at the Indian team for attempting to sledge the Australians, a move which backfired in the second Test.

"They've got a false sense of what aggression means as well. I think they've got the talent in their bowling unit to get us out, but they're inexperienced and can't bowl consistent Test level spells."

Hayden, however, lauded the Indian batting unit. In particular, Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli have shown the guts and gumption to make their presence felt on true wickets of Australia. Both the batsmen have played with poise and fluidity at the crease.

"Australia definitely has the edge when it comes to bowling but talent wise, the Indian batsmen are on par. Virat Kohli is world class -- there's an edge to his game. Murali Vijay's batting has gone to a new level.

"He's patience personified, blended with conventional and destructive stroke-play and if Australia had him opening the batting with David Warner, it would be an incredible partnership. But, the rest are vulnerable," he concluded.