The tension is always high in the India-Australia rivalry, especially in the game's purest form. The two sides have played some of the most memorable Tests in the game's history. This legendary rivalry dates back several decades, during which both cricketing powerhouses dominated the prestigious Test format. The thrilling confrontations between India's tenacious batting and Australia's fearsome bowling arsenal are at the core of this long-standing rivalry.

To summarise, this is a straightforward fight of the best vs the best. India have won the Border-Gavaskar trophy (BGT) four times in a row, and the hosts from Australia are eager to reverse the trend in the upcoming five-match Test series. That said, here's a comprehensive list of the five Test matches played in Australia that have made a mark on several cricket fanatics since the BGT's inception.

·   2003 Adelaide

The 2003 Adelaide clash-up was India's first Test victory in Australia since 1980-81 when they won in Melbourne. After Ricky Ponting's 242 propelled Australia to 556 in the first innings, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman re-wrote their epic partnership at Eden Gardens with a historic 303-run stand for the fifth wicket. Dravid's fourth Test double-hundred was a resounding response to his doubters who questioned his ability to score runs in Australia.

The Indian number three not only exorcised the ghosts of the 1999-2000 Australia trip with this innings but also joined the ranks of the greats. Ajit Agarkar's remarkable statistics of 6/41 guaranteed that Australia were bowled out for 196 runs in their second innings, setting India a 230-run goal. Dravid followed up his first-innings effort with an unbeaten 72 in the second as India chased down the mark and won by four wickets to grab a 1-0 series lead against Australia for the first time in history.

·   2008 Sydney

The Sydney Test clash between India and Australia was one of the most contentious games in the sport's history. Happened way back in 2008, the match sparked controversy due to the number of umpiring errors by senior umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson. Furthermore, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was charged with racist abuse to Aussies players like Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, and Ricky Ponting.

At the same time, Australian players were accused of lousy sportsmanship for attempting to influence the umpire's decision, resulting in several issues, and being touted as the infamous Monkeygate Scandal. Nonetheless, Australia won the game on Day 5 with minutes to spare, giving them a 2-0 series lead after winning the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

·   2008 Perth

The Perth Test from the 2008 Border-Gasvaskar Trophy deserves to be included. Even though it only lasted four days, the game alternated between the two teams from session to session. The Anil-Kumble-led squad fought after falling 0-2 in the series to defeat the hosts and make it 2-1 heading into the final Test. At the time, no team had beaten the Australians at the WACA in Perth in almost eleven years.

To make matters better, it was India's first victory in Australia in over four years. It was much more crucial for the Indian team and spectators since the Test triumph in Perth came shortly after the SCG Test, which was beset by numerous issues, mainly the infamous Monkeygate Scandal. Overall, this match signified the impeccable grit and resilience of the Indian Cricket team.

·   2018 Melbourne

India's close victory over Australia in the series opener of the 2018-19 Tour in Melbourne provided a glimpse of how India will be a dominant red-ball team overseas. India got bowled out for 250 when Virat Kohli chose to bat first despite Cheteshwar Pujara's valiant 123. However, Indian spinners remained strong and never let the Australian batters settle in.

Travis Head top-scored with 72 as Australia were dismissed for 235, behind India by 15 runs. The visitors then extended their advantage by 307 runs, giving Australia a colossal target of 323 runs. The Indian bowlers grabbed the initiative, like they had in the previous innings, and bowled the hosts out for 291. Bumrah, Shami, and Ashwin took three wickets each as India.

·   2021 Brisbane

The Indian-Aussies clash up match in 2021 at the Gabba was an exciting and historic encounter, providing edge-of-the-seat cricketing entertainment. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, amassing 369 runs in the opening innings. Marnus Labuschagne scored 108 runs, and debutant Washington Sundar took four wickets for India. In response, India scored 336 runs, with Shardul Thakur leading the way with 67 runs.

As a result, the Australians were bowled out for 294, giving India a target of 328. India, despite early losses, demonstrated amazing perseverance. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara established a solid platform, while Rishabh Pant's aggressive effort boosted India's hopes. On the final day, Pant's undefeated 89 runs lead India to a historic three-wicket triumph. India won their first Test at the Gabba, breaking Australia's 32-year unbroken record there. It was also India's second straight Test series win in Australia.

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is set to begin in two days. Before the beginning of the important Test series, everyone is looking at the pitch of the Perth Stadium, where the Test series opener will be played. 

Perth Stadium will host the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener, starting on November 22. The 27-year-old Isaac McDonald is in charge of preparing the pitch. McDonald is closely monitoring the pitch, which has a tradition of bringing challenges to both the batters and bowlers. 

It's definitely not traditional Perth Test prep

Due to rain for the last few days, McDonald can’t get the traditional preparation opportunity. However, they have adjusted their schedule and are comfortably working on it. 

McDonald said, "Yeah, it's definitely not traditional Perth Test prep. Yesterday we pretty much lost the whole day of prep with it being under cover. So we kind of saw the forecast early on and we started prep a little bit earlier than we normally would.

"So we're sitting quite comfortable still. It'd be nice if the sun would pop out and do its job but as of this morning we're in a good spot, we're really comfortable as a curating team." 

The Perth or Optus Stadium produces pace and bouncy pitches. McDonald believes that there will be variable bounces with time progress but unlikely to open the traditional WACA cracks. 

The curator said, "I don't think the weather is going to make this pitch fall apart. There'll be some deterioration, grass will stand up during the game and offer that variable bounce but in terms of big snake WACA cracks, unfortunately I don't think the weather is going to get us there,." 

SEE ALSO: Former Indian captain is confident about Indian team for BGT

Fingers crossed the sun pops out

While the weather forecast is clear for all five days of the upcoming Test series openers, the temperature is unlikely to move hugely. McDonald is opting to produce the pitch naturally. 

McDonald added, "I mean everyone talks about the traditional baking of the top. We can kind of manufacture that with more rolling and less water on top if we have to. We're testing the wicket hour by hour so it's quite conditions based at the moment.

"So at the moment we're leaning towards rolling it a bit more on top to get that firmness and that happy medium between bat and ball. But yeah, fingers crossed the sun pops out." 

The grass on Perth pitch

During a recent Australia vs Pakistan ODI match, the curator left a 4mm grass cover on the pitch, where Australia were bundled out for only 140 runs in the series decider, and Pakistan chased down the target in 26.5 overs after losing three wickets.

McDonald is likely to leave 8 to 10 mm grass cover on the pitch before the toss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener. 

McDonald said, "We've still got to try and get to a point where we think we're going to be fine by Friday. We're still in around the ballpark, 8 to 10 mm, was where we were last year as well.

"So we're sitting quite comfortable and having quite open conversations within the curating team of what we feel is appropriate and where to go from there. There's still be really good pace and bounce in the pitch.

"It'll just come in how well they look after the ball and how true the surface stays. We're meant to get to 30-32 degrees over the weekend so we'll see what the grass on top does there but in terms of coming off cracks I just don't think we're going to get there." 

Perth Stadium hosted its first Test during the Australia vs India Test match in December 2018. The venue has hosted four Tests where Australia won all four matches by the big margins. All those four Tests experienced unsuccessful chases in the fourth innings.

While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is less than a week away to begin, the Indian camp is not in a comfortable position due to the top-order batting confusion. Just two days before the beginning of the Perth Test, Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has brought an important update regarding injured Shubman Gill. 

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is on parental leave and will miss the first Test of the five-match Test series in Australia. Perth Stadium will host the first Test of the series, starting on November 22. The situation became tougher for the visitors when Shubman Gill got an injury on his left thumb while fielding at the slip during the intra-squad match and didn’t return to the field on the second day of the practice match. 

The 25-year-old Gill scored 28 runs in the simulation match before Navdeep Saini dismissed him. He batted in that game for the second time and scored 42 not out. As most of the Indian batting order is mostly inexperienced, Gill has to play an important role, especially in the absence of the skipper Rohit Sharma. 

SEE ALSO: Former Indian legend rallies behind Bumrah ahead of first BGT Test

Fingers crossed: Morne Morkel

As Gill has a thumb injury, the reports suggested Gill’s absence in the five-match Test series opener and uncertainty for the second Test of the series, which has been scheduled at Adelaide Oval starting on December 6. However, the Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel is still hopeful about Gill’s participation in the upcoming Perth Test. 

Morkel claimed, “Shubman is improving on a day-by-day basis. We will take a call on the morning of the Test. He played well in the match simulation during the build-up, so fingers crossed.”

Shubman Gill: Key man during the 2020/21 Australia tour

Shubman Gill has scored 1800 runs in 29 Tests (54 innings) with an average of 36.73. The right-handed batter has hit five centuries and seven half-centuries in his Test career. 

Gill toured with the Indian team during the previous Australia tour in the 2020-21 season. He was the fourth most runs-scorer for India and the sixth most runs-scorer in the four-match Test series in that Australia tour. The right-handed batter scored 259 runs in six innings (three Tests) with an average of 51.80, including two half-centuries. He scored 30+ runs in five out of six innings, including the unforgettable 91 runs during the historic successful fourth innings chase in the Gabba Test. 

The former Indian captain is confident about the Indian team for the crucial upcoming away Test series against Australia. He is hopeful of Indian batters' performances on the better Australian batting track. 

India recently suffered a shocking 3-0 home Test whitewash against New Zealand. The Blackcaps stunned everyone with their performances, especially when Kane Williamson wasn’t present in all three Tests of that series.

Watch: Virat Kohli reveals his best Test knock in Australia

In Australia, the tracks will be good for batting: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain and the former BCCI president, feels that the “undercooked” term doesn’t justify the Indian team, as they recently played five home Tests. 

Ganguly told PTI, “Undercooked is a term used when you haven’t played any Test cricket at all. They have just played five Tests in last seven weeks so how does the question even arise?”

Despite the shocking home whitewash in the Test series against New Zealand, Ganguly pointed out the major differences between that home Test series and the upcoming away Test series against Australia.

The former BCCI president added, “I can understand that the defeat against New Zealand was unexpected but you have to understand we played on some extremely difficult tracks. In Australia, the tracks will be good for batting." 

Shubman’s injury is jolt for the team

In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, Australia and India will play a five-match Test series, starting on November 22. Perth will host the Test series opener, where the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill can’t participate. Ganguly admitted that Gill’s injury is a jolt for the team, but he has enough faith in the other players.  

Ganguly said, “Shubman’s injury is jolt for the team no doubt as he is an in-form batter and has scored in Australia. A thumb fracture could rule him out for two Tests.

“But I believe the other batters would step up in absence of Rohit (on paternity leave) and Shubman during the first Test. I don’t think New Zealand defeat would have any bearing on this series."

Ganguly on Nitish Kumar Reddy

Talking about the team combination, Ganguly feels that the first Test at Perth and the third Test at Gabba shouldn’t go with two specialist spinners. In these matches, India can use players like the pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who recently played three T20Is during the Bangladesh tour of India last October. 

Ganguly said, “Look, there is absolutely no point in playing two specialist spinners either at Perth (Optus) or at the Gabba (Brisbane). You obviously need to find a way to play Reddy in these conditions. He is a good batsman and coming in at lower middle order, it will lend proper balance to the side." 

Ganguly on Mohammed Shami's return

Meanwhile. Ganguly is very happy with Mohammed Shami’s return to the game after almost a year and feels that the pacer is ready for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Ganguly claimed, “Shami bowled nearly 45 overs, fielded for more than 100 overs and also scored some runs. That’s a good enough fitness test to be sent to Australia because you need a bowler of his calibre alongside Jasprit Bumrah."

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is just less than a week away from starting. Meanwhile, Travis Head is preparing aggressively, which brings back heartbreaking moments for Indian cricket fans. Australia are ready to host the five-match Test series against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India won all the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophy challenges, twice in India and twice in Australia. 

So, there is no doubt that the baggy greens are desperate to win the home Test series and end their Border-Gavaskar Trophy drought since the 2016/17 season. Perth Stadium is set to host the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 opener, which will begin on November 22. Both Australia and India are desperate to make a good start in this crucial Test series, which is a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

SEE ALSO: Virat Kohli back to Perth! Can he reclaim the glory?

Travis Head smashing in the nets

The 30-year-old Australian cricketer Travis Head was practicing aggressively. He played some big shots in the nets and was enjoying the moment. It shows his desperation for the upcoming Test series. While it is circulating on social media on November 19, it hurts the Indian cricket fans more.

T20 nhi Test khelna hai bc 😭 pic.twitter.com/kkUtk6kJfb

— Ritik ✍🏻 (@smith___49) November 19, 2024

Travis Head was the reason for India's failure to win the CWC 2023 title

Head was the major reason for India's failure to win the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Ahmedabad hosted the tournament final on November 19, 2023. While the unbeaten India batted first, Head took a great catch to dismiss the dangerous-looking Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 47 off 31 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. The Aussie cricketer ran back and then dived to grab that big opportunity, which ultimately changed the moment of the match. 

Chasing down the 241-run target, Travis Head opened with David Warner. While Australia lost their first three wickets for 47 runs, Head fought hard and kept the game on with Marnus Labuschagne. Head had some lucky moments to survive the new balls, and then the left-handed batter dominated. He scored 137 off 120 balls with 15 fours and four sixes.

When Mohammed Siraj dismissed Head, Australia were only two runs away from the 2023 World Cup victory. Head and Labuschagne had a 192-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and Labuschagne was not out for 58 runs off 110 balls. 

A century in the #CWC23 Final!

Take a bow, Travis Head 👏#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/cMStdnUV4Y

— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2023

Gautam Gambhir has found himself in the eye of the storm lately following a crashing Test series defeat at the hands of the Kiwis. Under his mentorship, India has gone on to register some embarrassing records. From losing an ODI series for the first time to Sri Lanka in 27 years to being whitewashed in a three or more match series at home, Gambhir has let himself and his team down badly.

While the players have been at the epicenter of heightened criticism, Gambhir’s role in the recently concluded New Zealand test series is also being reviewed under a microscope. According to emerging reports from PTI, Gambhir’s fate as the Indian head team coach depends on how his side fares in the forthcoming India tour to Australia later this month. 

In the upcoming five-match Test series, the wounded Indian team would not only look to retain their title but also compete fiercely to get back in the WTC race. After a horrendous 0-3 defeat, India’s standing in the WTC points table has been severely jeopardized. 

So what does the BCCI plan to do now?

As per BCCI guidelines, head coaches have no role to play in team selection. Gambhir’s predecessors, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid long advised the board to involve the head coach in selection matters. But their requests were turned down, however, an expectation was made in Gambhir’s case considering the importance of the Australia tour.

It is this special power that the BCCI is likely to snatch from Gambhir unless there is a remarkable change in fortunes for team India. The report further states that amidst such a disastrous tenure, Gambhir may not be given a free hand in selection matters any longer. Moreover, the report also points out some major concerns against the 43-year-old. 

Gambhir’s inclination towards having a rank turner at a time when the Indian batters have been in woeful form against the spin to send Siraj as a nightwatchman, a move that triggered a collapse late on day one, are some of the major concerns that were highlighted in the report. 

Gambhir has been significantly involved in the selection process since his appointment in July this year. His presence contributed to Suryakumar Yadav's ascension over Hardik Pandya in the competition for the T20I captaincy of India following Rohit Sharma's retirement from this format. Moreover, Gambhir made some heads turn when he expressed his desire to handpick Harshit Rana for the Australia Test series despite having played only nine First-Class games.

The decision of International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad to label the Indore pitch for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series as “poor” has been challenged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to information provided by TOI, the BCCI has filed an appeal with the ICC regarding Broad’s reprehensible verdict regarding the square turner at Indore. According to the ICC’s rules, an appeal like this is heard and decided by Wasim Khan, the ICC’s General Manager-Cricket, and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is now the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee’s chairman. However, because Ganguly is from India, the ICC member nation that has filed the protest, he will be excluded from the proceedings. As a result, Ganguly will be switched out by the ICC for this process.

India posted scores of 109 and 163 in the Test, while Australia posted scores of 197 and 78 for 1 in three days

In seven sessions, the match, which began on March 1 and ended on March 3, saw 31 wickets fall, 26 of which were taken by spinners on a vicious turner that many former cricketers criticized.

The Indian Board had until March 17 to appeal the ICC’s decision, which was two weeks after the game ended.

The fact that such an appeal has been considered before and the verdict was overturned or revised by the ICC is encouraging to the BCCI. Following an appeal from the Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council (ICC) reexamined the “below average” rating of the Rawalpindi pitch for the England-Pakistan Test last year. The PCB successfully appealed the ICC match referee’s description of the Rawalpindi pitch as “very flat,” arguing that the match resulted in a victory. As a result, the ground’s demerit point was revoked by the ICC.

After receiving a request in this regard from the hosting unit, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, the BCCI challenged Broad’s verdict on the Indore pitch.

“On March 5, we had, via an email; requested the BCCI to file an appeal (against the verdict),”

MPCA CEO Rohit Pandit said from Indore.

“The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favoring spinners from the start. The Fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match,”

ICC match referee Chris Broad wrote in his report while announcing the verdict for the Indore pitch.

The demerits points, though, won’t prevent Indore from hosting international games in the future. 

“As per the ICC rules, if a venue gets 5 demerit points, which continue over a rolling period of 5 years, then it cannot host an international game for the next 12 months. If we don’t get any more demerits points in the next 5 years, then we are through. We just have to be doubly cautious about a pitch when we host a Test the next time,”

Pandit explained.

The first Test was a landslide. Australia were pushed away with ease as nobody showed fight barring Steve Smith. The loss leaves Australia with a lot of questions to answer as they head to Delhi with more spin likely to hit them. With regards to their eleven, they will be hoping that Mitchell Starc is fit as they are in really bad shape coming to Delhi. The batting is a huge concern with none of the batters barring Labuschagne and Smith showing some skill against spin.

For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma stood out as they made easy work of Australia. The batting line-up and the form of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara remains a slight concern. Some good news though is the return of Shreyas Iyer, who has recovered and could make a comeback, strengthening the middle-order.

IND vs AUS Match Details

Date: February 17th 2023

Time:  9:30 AM IST

Venue: Delhi

IND vs AUS Weather Report

The Weather at Delhi is pretty good for the upcoming game.

IND vs AUS Pitch Report

A dry track particularly on one of the ends is expected at Delhi. Spin will be in abundance with the ball likely to take turn soon.

IND vs AUS head-to-Head

Played- 103 | India-31 | Australia- 43 | Draw- 28 | Tie- 1

IND vs AUS Predicted Playing XI

Australia Playing XI

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar/Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon

India Playing XI

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul/Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Axar Patel

IND vs AUS Key Players

Steve Smith

No player put fear into the Indian Team as Steve Smith can. His record against India, and his scores in the last visit were incredible as he alone kept the side in the series with the bat. Three centuries in the last tour and an incredible ability against spin make him a key part in the series. His battle with Ravichandran Ashwin in particular could decide the series.

Cheteshwar Pujara

The upcoming Test is a special one for Pujara. After countless battles and struggles he has reached the 100 Test mark. He reaches the mark against a side which has seen him grind them out on numerous occasions. With a low score in the first Test, Pujara will want to make a mark in Delhi, especially against Australia and Nathan Lyon.

IND vs AUS Match Tips

The First Test saw India make easy work of Australia. They have all the momentum while Australia has a lot of questions to answer. Going by the batting performances and the form of Australia’s batters against spin, India should feel really good about their chances in the upcoming game.

Match Prediction: India Will Win the Match

A tour of India, the Ashes, a World Cup and in all likelihood a World Test Championship Final is what’s in store for Australia in the coming months. For many Australian Cricketers, a win in India seems bigger than winning the Ashes in England. That could be true given Australia’s last series win in India was back in 2004, while they drew and retained their last away Ashes in 2019. The Final Frontier is what many in Australia coin the Australian tour as.

Australia are coming here after six years, which is a huge gap in professional sport. While Australia did not tour for a Test series in the last six years, most of their players have been coming to India almost every year. With IPL and white-ball commitments they have a measure on how the place is. A lot of their line-up was also a part of the previous Test series, providing Australia with prior experience of touring India.

Additionally, India no longer feels like an unknown territory. Spin, and dusty tracks are synonymous to India. Australia know it well, which is probably why they avoided a tour game and instead chose to prepare on a scuffed up surface in Sydney. They also went the distance by scouting a net bowler in India, who could replicate Ashwin’s action, allowing Australia to find some sort of experience in playing Ashwin when he comes on.

Last time too, Australia did not play a tour game and instead went to Dubai for some training sessions against spin. Coming in a week early has allowed Australia to get used to the SG ball, which has been a point of criticism over the years. India themselves claimed that they were not happy with it as the seam wears out rather quickly, leaving little chance for bowlers to find grip and turn.

Strategy-wise, Australia will look at past experience. They came in with four spinners last time, used two, and managed to outplay India on the driest of tracks in Pune. On a pitch completely tilted towards the Indians, Australia showed immense character, and took the game away in style. In 2004, Australia managed to control India’s run-rate while they relied on their pacers, Gillespie and McGrath to do the heavy work.

That tour allowed Australia to understand that pacers have a role in India. With James Anderson doing a really good job in 2012, their belief was vindicated as Australia’s pacers played a huge role in winning them that series. Strategy wise, Australia are likely to be set, Their squad though has some concerns.

Josh Hazelwood, Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc are injured for the first Test. Lance Morris is gaining fame for his pace, and could be playing his first Test, while Scott Boland too will possibly play his first Test away from home, leaving Australia very inexperienced with their bowling attack. With spin, Australia have Nathan Lyon, but the back-up spin option is concern. Mitchell Swepson, after travelling with them for nearly six years has fallen behind the pack and it could be Todd Murphy who gets the nod along with Ashton Agar.

See Also: Ravichandran Ashwin vs Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins vs Pujara and Virat Kohli, Another Round of Battles Set to Begin (cricketwinner.com)

With their batting, Usman Khawaja and David Warner complained about burnout given their workloads over the Australian Summer. David Warner’s record against spin in India, in particular is a concern, leaving Australia hoping he comes at his best mentally, despite the mental fatigue.

With strategy and squad concerns, Australia gear up for the first Test and a series that promises a lot. They have not won a series against India anywhere since 2014-2015. Their record in the subcontinent too is always susceptible. Recent results in Pakistan and Sri Lanka though will give them confidence, but facing India in their backyard is a different ballgame which Australia are about to experience.

An important year for Indian cricket was the famous Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2001. Because of the series, a new India emerged, defeating Australia, the dominant nation, in their attempt to conquer “The Final Frontier.” Even though Adam Gilchrist and co. did it in 2004, 19 years later, Australia is back in India for another riveting Border-Gavaskar series. This time, they won’t be trying to conquer a bastion; rather, they will be hoping for redemption.

India is the proud holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy; in fact, Australia has lost three series in a row without winning it, two of which have been played at home. Although it has been two years since India’s spectacular comeback at Brisbane’s Gabba Miracle, people still have vivid memories of it. In reference to the series defeat, captain Tim Paine had stated, “It hurts.”

It would still be detrimental to this Australian team, which is currently led by Pat Cummins, the cricket legend.

Cummins has done almost nothing wrong since taking over as captain. He has won eight of his 13 matches, winning only one at Galle and drawing four others. The 29-year-old’s rookie captaincy career will face its greatest obstacle in this series.

Moreover, this series is of the utmost importance to Rohit Sharma, even with this all-encompassing Indian team, which is on the verge of becoming the No. 1 team across all formats if they destroy Australia in the series. Rohit has missed three of India’s five Test matches since taking over as captain of all formats; In fact, Rohit has only appeared in two of India’s last ten Test matches.

We can assume that this will be his toughest Test, but more importantly, it is Rohit’s chance to get close to the elusive ICC Trophy.

The Indian captain has an intriguing carrot in the form of the subplot pertaining to the World Test Championship. The formula is straightforward: Beat Australia 3-0 to advance to the WTC final, which will be played at the Oval from July 7 to July 11 against their current opponents.

A series whitewash on the cards?

In the lead-up to the series, the Indian team’s “Devil May Care” approach to pitches and conditions is reflected in the tiniest of details. Any doubts about India’s WTC qualification will be put to rest by the price of winning at all costs—not just a win but a series whitewash. India will be satisfied with a 3-1 victory, but it appears that they will not take that chance, which brings the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, and its track into the picture.

A brown patchy dry pitch that left-arm spinners can exploit against left-handed pitchers. India has three tweakers with the left arm, and Australia’s top eight could have six southpaws—just do the math.

Here’s a little math: Ashwin and Jadeja have taken 99 wickets between them in India against Australia. At home, Axar Patel’s average is 12.43. Additionally, these three will most likely be prominent throughout the series and even the first test.

“Looks a little bit dry for the left-handers and knowing how much traffic will probably go through there from the right-arm bowlers, potentially might be a fair bit of rough out there,”

Cummins reiterated what Steve Smith had observed a day earlier.

And to make the most of the patch – India have not one, not two but three left-arm tweakers – add to that a left-arm seamer in Jaydev Unadkat.

Can India Rest Easy?

Despite the advantages of favorable conditions, the Indian camp cannot rest easy. They need to fill a big hole at No. 6, and the No. 5 spot is still open. When Nathan Lyon brings in his drift, loop, and tight lines, India’s top-order spin issues will also come into play.

KL Rahul has not scored more than 23 runs in any of his seven innings since Rohit’s last Test in March 2022. In the last 22 innings, Kohli has fallen to spinners 12 times, six times to left-arm spinners and six times to right-arm spinners. The 136 he scored in India’s first day-night Test match against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens remains his last Test hundred.

Despite India’s recent successes in the Test, particularly against spin, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant’s absence remains the team’s greatest challenge. Even though Suryakumar Yadav is a white-collar mercenary, his FC average is 44.75, which is comparable to that of other Indian domestic run machines. He will make his debut if he is selected.

The Pant Void follows next. Srikar Bharat will be trying to avoid being sucked into oblivion in this black hole. When Bharat came on in place of Wriddhamn Saha in the match against New Zealand in Kanpur, he showed that he is an excellent wicketkeeper by returning with two excellent catches and a neat stumping on a slow and low track.

The batting, however—the Pant Impetus, the Pant Intent, and the Pant Aggression—is a concern for India because it was one of the primary factors in India’s victories over Australia in the previous two series.

“The message to the boys has been very clear. We are ready to play horses for courses. On whichever pitch, whosoever we need we have to bring them in. As simple as that. That is something that we have spoken to the guys at the start of the series and we will continue to do that,”

Rohit said of the selection conundrum on the pre-match day.

The Horses for Course reference may indicate that SKY will be given the nod ahead of Gill and that an Axar will replace Kuldeep Yadav.

According to Cummins, his team is prepared to take on the challenge and relish in it. The skipper, on the other hand, must put on a brave face because India will come at them hard, as hard as they can, with a plan to destroy the Australians with spin, spin, spin, and a little bit more.

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The current streak of three Border-Gavaskar victories is India’s best ever. From 1947 to 1959 and 1967 to 1977, Australia had won three series in a row.