Ravichandran Ashwin vs Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins vs Pujara and Virat Kohli, Another Round of Battles Set to Begin

Over the last decade, India and Australia have had some incredible encounters. Within themselves, there has been some really thrilling battles individually, which could take center stage in deciding how this series pans out too.

Ravichandran Ashwin vs Steve Smith

While Marnus Labuschagne has grown, Steve Smith remains the biggest threat for India. India know it well too. Steve Smith, tormenter in the 2014-2015 summer, and on their visit to India in 2016-2017 has given India many nightmares in the past. In white-ball Cricket too, he took on a rampaging India, with a century in the 2015 World Cup Semi-Finals to send them packing. A person who knows him too well, and will be very vary of him is Ravichandran Ashwin.

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While the duo only faced of once in 2013, the battle really began in 2014. When India visited Australia, Steve Smith was on another domain. He made easy work of Ravichandran Ashwin, who failed to dismiss him all series. In India in 2016-2017, Steve Smith was just as dominant. Ashwin did manage to get him out twice, but with an average of 66. It was in 2020-2021 where Ashwin finally had something to show in his head to head battle with Smith. Facing Smith in Australia, Ashwin came prepared, and dismissed him 3 times at an average of 21. He got into the head of Steve Smith finally, and his encounter in that series makes the upcoming one all the more interesting.

With Steve Smith still a beast in Test Cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin will have to plan and make Steve Smith an obsession yet again. India will single him out as a key batter and will know that they have their work cut-out. One aspect working in their favor is the presence of Ravindra Jadeja. While the Smith vs Ashwin battle takes the spotlight, there is Jadeja, who has a decent record and could silently steal the show.

Cheteshwar Pujara vs Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins once stated that they began to hate the sight of Cheteshwar Pujara out in the middle. Pujara was a key factor behind India’s last three Border Gavaskar Trophy wins, and has been a massive threat to Australia. His patience and mental strength, along with his ability to take blows on end, before handing out his own often results in the frustration of Australian bowlers. Numbers wise, the Australian pacers do have a great record against Pujara in Australia. In India, the numbers get worse, with Pujara proving to be nearly unmovable.

However, beyond numbers, the pacers will remember what actually makes Pujara irritating. In 2021 though, both pacers found ways to get Pujara off guard and uncomfortable. Pujara still did some damage, leaving the pacers frustrated, but with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood dismissing him consistently, they will know that they have the ability to push him away from the middle.

With Virat Kohli, the story is different. Unlike Pujara, Kohli loves taking the battle to the Australian pacers. His numbers against them though are rather unusual. His numbers in Australia against the pacers are better than his numbers in India. Last time they toured, Virat Kohli only managed 46 runs across five innings. In Australia though, he has dominated them on numerous occasions. With only 46 runs in his last series at home against them though, Virat Kohli will be waiting to fix his poor numbers.

Barring the pace bowlers, India will have to take care of the Nathan Lyon threat. Nathan Lyon has visited India thrice, with his record getting better each time. An average of 30 may not suggest so, but he has improved in the subcontinent. The Indian pair too has not been the greatest against spin off late. Virat Kohli in particular has not done too well against spin in recent times. He has a great record against Nathan Lyon in Australia, but in India his numbers against Lyon are a concern, especially against the ball that does not turn.

Pujara though is another enemy for Lyon. He is a batter who has frustrated Nathan Lyon throughout his career, with Nathan Lyon going on to ask if Pujara was bored yet after Pujara played a long innings in Sydney. Pujara’s numbers against Lyon at home are not as good as they are in Australia. However, despite recent form, Pujara remains India’s best against spin and is a huge threat against Nathan Lyon.

David Warner vs Ravichandran Ashwin

In what could be his last visit to India, David Warner has a huge challenge to get past. The challenge could well decide his Test Future. Against Ashwin, Warner averages a mere 18. Ashwin does have an incredible record against left-handers, and knowing that, Warner will have to fight hard to ensure the battle does not stay one-sided.