On this day, 7 January 2019, Indian cricket created history. For the first time in 71 years of traveling to Australia and playing Test series, India won a series on Australian soil. This victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19 was not just any win—it was a moment of pride for every Indian cricket fan.

Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India defeated Australia 2-1 in the 4-match Test series. Virat Kohli, emotional in the post-match interview, said, “This win is bigger than the 2011 World Cup victory.” He was young during the World Cup win, but this time he truly understood the value of this achievement. It was India’s 13th tour of Australia, and finally, after 14 captains had tried and failed, Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain to lift a Test series trophy in Australia.

The series started with a thrilling win for India in the Adelaide Test, where they beat Australia by 31 runs. However, Australia bounced back in the second Test at Perth, defeating India by 146 runs. India made a strong comeback in the third Test at Melbourne, winning by 137 runs. The fourth and final Test in Sydney could have ended in another victory for India, as they enforced a follow-on on Australia. However, rain washed out play on Day 5, and the match ended in a draw.

Read Also: Virat Kohli’s Aggression That Backfires on Team India

Despite the rain, India won the series 2-1 and became the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil.

CELEBRATIONS FROM TEAM HOTEL AFTER THE SERIES WIN IN AUSTRALIA IN 2019. 😍🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/Y87gb2l3FH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 7, 2025

THE CELEBRATIONS FROM VIRAT KOHLI AND HIS BOYS AFTER SCRIPTING HISTORY. ❤️pic.twitter.com/2uMkU3vjxl

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 7, 2025

Cheteshwar Pujara was the hero with the bat. He scored 521 runs, including three centuries, and faced a record 1,258 balls in the series, showing remarkable patience and skill. His average was close to 75. Rishabh Pant also played well, scoring 350 runs, including a brilliant century. Virat Kohli contributed 282 runs, including one century, to make it a team effort.

In bowling, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer. He took 21 wickets at an incredible average of 17. He was well supported by Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, who took crucial wickets throughout the series.

A Series That Changed History

This victory in 2019 was just the beginning of India’s dominance in Test cricket. India went on to win the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well, defeating Australia 2-1 again, despite facing injuries and challenges.

While the recently concluded 2024-25 BGT ended in a 3-1 loss for India, no one can forget the significance of that first historic win in 2018-19. It was a moment that changed the perception of Indian cricket forever.

India’s dream of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final has come to an end. After reaching the finals in 2021 and 2023, they hoped for a third consecutive appearance, but things did not go as planned. In 2021, India lost to New Zealand in the final, and in 2023, Australia won. Now, with the 2027 WTC cycle set to begin with the England tour in June 2025, India is struggling in Test cricket.

India suffered heavy defeats in both home and away series. They were clean-swept by New Zealand at home, and on the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia, they lost 3-1. These poor performances show that India needs to make some big changes to avoid future defeats and make a strong comeback in the upcoming WTC cycle.

Here are three big changes India must make:

 Pick Performers Over Big Names

India has long relied on star players, but it’s time to focus on current form, not past reputations. Even legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have been pillars of the team, need to be evaluated on their recent performances.

• Virat Kohli’s Dip: Kohli, once known for his incredible consistency, has seen his Test average drop from 57 in 2019 to 46 in 2024-25. While his past achievements are remarkable, India can’t afford to carry players who are no longer at their best.

• Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: As captain, Rohit struggled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring just 31 runs in 3 matches at an average of 6. He even benched himself in Sydney, understanding the issue, but tough decisions are needed moving forward.

Players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul also need to prove their worth. Gill averages in the mid-30s after 35 Tests and has not scored a century overseas. Rahul, with a decade of experience, has only 8 Test centuries.

India should prioritize players based on form, not reputation. Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy should be groomed to replace senior players, but they too must perform consistently. Senior players nearing retirement should be phased out while helping guide younger players during the transition.

Play with 5 specialist bowlers

India’s current strategy of playing 3 bowlers and using all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy as backup bowlers is not working. Test cricket needs a strong bowling unit to take 20 wickets in a match, which is key to winning.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were the only consistent bowlers, but the team lacked a reliable third pacer. Using all-rounders in key bowling roles weakened the attack and allowed the opposition to score freely.

What India Should Do:

• Play 5 specialist bowlers in every Test match.

• Have at least one all-rounder who can support the bowling attack without compromising its strength.

• Train and groom new pacers like Prasidh Krishna to build a strong bowling lineup.

Read Also: .Virat Kohli Aspires to Be Interim Test Captain for Transition Phase and Desires to Play Till 2027

Build a Strong Batting Unit

India’s batting problems were clear in the last eight Tests (3 against New Zealand and 5 in Australia). In these 16 innings, the team only managed to score over 300 runs three times, which is crucial in modern Test cricket.

Key Issues:

• India has become too reliant on a few players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rishabh Pant. While they have shown potential, more consistent contributions are needed from others.

• There is also a lack of partnerships, with players failing to convert their starts into big scores. A solid partnership is key to building a competitive total, but this has been missing in recent matches.

• Poor performances from senior players and inconsistency in the middle order have made it harder to maintain a strong batting lineup, leading to failures in crucial moments.

The Solution:

• India needs to develop a batting lineup where every player takes responsibility for the team’s success. Players should work together to ensure consistent performance rather than relying on a few individuals.

• Emerging talent should be nurtured. Players like Jaiswal and Reddy have shown promise but need support and opportunities to grow.

• Emphasizing partnerships is crucial. Batters should be trained to work together, building up runs and helping the team post competitive totals, especially in challenging conditions.

• Improving batting techniques, particularly for overseas conditions, is essential. Indian batsmen need to adapt better when playing outside of India, where they have struggled in recent matches.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir Likely to Step Down as India Head Coach Due to Poor Team Performance and Player Concerns

India’s recent defeats in Test cricket show the need for big changes. Picking players based on performance, strengthening the bowling attack, and fixing the batting problems are all crucial steps.

Test cricket is a team game. To succeed, everyone needs to contribute, and the team needs better planning. If these changes are made, India can bounce back, dominate Test cricket again, and have a strong run in the WTC 2025.

The leaders in a meeting are encouraged to contemplate groups like the ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia, are conversing about changing things in Test cricket. They're planning on splitting it into two leagues, with six teams in each. To make it more exciting, they desire to introduce a way for teams to climb up or fall down between these leagues.Why, it's to keep the games exciting and make sure that the top teams fight it out more frequently.

They're also thinking about setting aside specific times for Test matches so fans can follow the games without breaks and enjoy it more. This entire plan is about making Test cricket more exciting and overtly competitive.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) set up a $15 million fund, at the same time, to keep Test cricket alive, so the best players don't leave it for those games that make a lot of money. The money is there to make sure Test players are excellently paid more for each game and to help cover the costs of tours. They're doing this to keep the traditional methods of playing cricket exciting and going strong.

Cricket's leaders are really working hard to bring new energy to Test Cricket, so it's enjoyable to see and makes money. They're trying their best to keep the antiquated style of the game spectacular for the fans and the players too.

ALSO READ: Rishi Dhawan has officially announced his retirement from Indian limited-overs cricket

ICC Men's Test Team Rankings

As of January 2025, the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings are:

🚨 INDIA, AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND TO PLAY EACH OTHER OFTEN. 🚨

- Jay Shah, Cricket Australia and ECB are in talks to split Test cricket into two divisions so the big 3 nations can play each other more often. (The Age). pic.twitter.com/6GrBOVJ1Vw

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 6, 2025

Top 5 Test cricket series/events with the highest viewership worldwide

Jay Shah, Cricket Australia, and the England and Wales Cricket Board are discussing revamping Test cricket with a new system that has two divisions. They want to change things so that the major teams India, Australia, and England get to face off more, while also attempting to help the other teams move up with a system that allows teams to get promoted or relegated.

By trying different and new options and making teams work hard to keep their place, they're hoping to make Test cricket much more interesting and clearly competitive from top to bottom. The important idea behind all of this is to get more people watching Test cricket bring in more sponsors by setting up big-name matches and, basically, make Test cricket better and more interesting than ever, especially since, today, the shorter T20 games are getting all the attention. They're trying to keep everyone involved and excited about what could be a major change for the better.

Babar Azam vs. Wiaan Mulder: High Drama in Pakistan vs. South Africa Clash

In the ongoing match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, star batter Babar Azam has hogged the limelight. The incident that caught everyone's attention was Babar losing his cool on Wiaan Mulder, who hit him with the ball out of frustration. This dramatic moment added spice to a day already filled with riveting cricket.

ALSO READ:Selfless Leadership: Rohit Sharma Prioritizes Team Over Self, Earns Gambhir's Praise

The Context

It was a roller-coaster day for Babar Azam and Pakistan. Despite Babar’s heroics, Pakistan struggled in their first innings, tumbling for just 194 runs. South Africa enforced the follow-on, putting Pakistan under immense pressure. However, Babar and Shan Masood had other plans, as the duo stitched a remarkable 150-run opening stand in the second innings, frustrating the Proteas.

The Agressive Side Of Babar Azam ❤️‍🩹🔥.#BabarAzam #SAvsPAK #PAKvSA #PakistanCricket #Babar #SAvsPAK pic.twitter.com/eRME0Hn20C

— Babarology 56 🇵🇸 (@HaroonRaso94849) January 5, 2025

The Heated Moment

As tensions mounted, Wiaan Mulder’s frustration boiled over. Spotting Babar out of the crease, Mulder threw the ball directly at him during his over. The ball hit Babar, and the usually composed batter lost his temper. He pointed to the stumps to remind Mulder of the game’s spirit and even came face to face with the bowler, delivering a verbal retort. This fiery exchange became the talking point of the day, showcasing the high-pressure environment both teams were operating in.

pic.twitter.com/MPbnRRAEMF

— rohitkohlirocks@123@ (@21OneTwo34) January 5, 2025

Babar Azam’s Brilliance

Despite the heated moment, it was a day to remember for Babar Azam fans. The Pakistan skipper slammed twin fifties on the same day, marking a remarkable comeback after a lean patch of 19 innings without a half-century. With three fifties in his last three innings, Babar is rediscovering his best form, much to the delight of his supporters.

Match Situation

By the end of the day, Pakistan were 155/0 in their second innings, making South Africa pay for enforcing the follow-on. Babar and Masood’s partnership has given Pakistan a fighting chance, and the Proteas will need to regroup to break this stand.

Cricket Australia didn't ask Sunil Gavaskar to present the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Pat Cummins, Australia's captain, even though the trophy is named after him and Allan Border. This decision was a disappointment for cricket fans. Right at the ceremony where they gave out the awards, they had Gavaskar just standing at the side of the field without taking part.

It disappointed many people who enjoy cricket.

Gavaskar also shared that, as an Indian, he would have been honored to share the stage with his close friend Allan Border to present the trophy. "I would have been happy to do it alongside Allan. It's a bilateral series that symbolizes the friendship and rivalry between our two nations," he said.

Cricket Australia's Explanation

Cricket Australia (CA) has mentioned some details about inviting Sunil Gavaskar for a special task. They were planning to have him give the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Jasprit Bumrah but only if India had won the Sydney Test, or at least managed a draw, which would mean they keep the trophy because they won the last series.

CA also shared that they had actually told Gavaskar beforehand about this entire plan. They even said, it might have been a good idea to have both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar come up on stage. That's what a spokesperson from CA said when they discussed it.

Australia beat India 3-1 in the latest Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, taking victories in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The series is a strikingly large event in Test cricket and happens every two years, with the host country switching between India and Australia. It began in 1996-97 and honors cricket icons Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border.

While India secured the first win in Perth, the game in Brisbane ended with no winner.

Cricket Australia Admits Their Mistake

Later that evening, Cricket Australia acknowledged their error in not having Gavaskar on the podium for the presentation ceremony, which only included Allan Border. In a statement to the media, CA expressed regret:

"We admit it wasn't an ideal situation, and it would have been better if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been invited to present the trophy together."

South Africa is hosting a two-match Test series against Pakistan, with Pakistan touring as visitors. South Africa already won the first Test match and leads the series 1-0. They have also qualified for the WTC final, but they are still showing their dominance in the second Test. This match is being played at Cape Town, where the pitch suits the batters more.

In their first innings of the second Test, South Africa’s batting lineup dominated Pakistan’s bowlers on their home soil. Even though the top-order batters Markram, Mulder, and Stubbs failed to make big contributions, captain Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton put on a brilliant 235-run partnership. Rickelton reached his century during the second session on Day 1, and soon after, Bavuma followed him, bringing up his century in the third session. Bavuma got out for 106 runs at the end of Day 1, but Rickelton remained unbeaten, ready to continue on Day 2.

On the second day, Rickelton started with David Bedingham, but Bedingham couldn’t last long in the morning session. After his dismissal, wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne joined Rickelton at the crease. Verreynne played an aggressive knock, scoring 100 runs, which included five huge sixes. He shared a 148-run partnership with Rickelton, and what stood out was how Verreynne dominated during this stand, showcasing his power-hitting ability.

The highlight of the innings, however, was Ryan Rickelton’s magnificent 259 runs. His innings included 29 fours and 3 sixes, completely dismantling Pakistan’s bowling attack. Pakistan’s prime bowlers had a tough time, with four of their five main bowlers conceding over 100 runs. Even Mohammad Abbas, who gave away 94 runs, couldn’t escape the punishment. It was a nightmare for Pakistan’s bowlers as South Africa piled on the runs.

Read Also:WATCH: Tim Seifert smashes a monstrous six that goes out of the park off Marcus Stoinis in BBL 2024-25.

Toward the end of the innings, Marco Jansen (62 runs) and Keshav Maharaj (40 runs) added valuable runs with their cameos. Their contributions helped South Africa reach a massive total of 615 runs in their first innings.

Pakistan started their innings under pressure, facing a huge deficit. The pitch looked good for batting, but South Africa’s quality bowling attack made things tough for Pakistan. By the end of Day 2, Pakistan was struggling at 64 for 3, still trailing by 551 runs. Captain Babar Azam was unbeaten on 31, while Mohammad Rizwan was batting on 9. Pakistan faces an uphill battle to get back into the match.

Ryan Rickelton Ends Nine-Year Wait for South Africa with Double Ton Against Pakistan

Ryan Rickelton from South Africa made cricket history by hitting over 200 runs in a Test match. It's been nine years since anyone else from South Africa did that. On Saturday, in the second Test against Pakistan in Cape Town, his amazing score of 202 runs from 266 balls really helped improve the Proteas' game. Rickelton was a key player in giving his team a strong advantage.

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Breaking a Nine-Year Drought

Resuming at an unbeaten 176 on Day 2, Rickelton hit a double century early, making the Cape Town crowd extremely happy. The performance was top-notch, demonstrating his patience and precision with 25 boundaries and also a hit over the boundary. With Rickelton's milestone, South Africa hadn't seen a double century in Test cricket since Hashim Amla did it in 2016.

The Proteas weren't doing particularly well at the start, losing three of their players Aiden Markram with 17 runs, Wiaan Mulder for just 5, and Tristan Stubbs out without obtaining for a total of 71 runs very early, by the 7th over. Mohammad Abbas and Salman Ali Agha from Pakistan were very successful in their method, taking the Proteas' players out fast.

But then, things took a major turn. Rickelton, who was just starting out, teamed up with the team captain, Temba Bavuma. Together, they started scoring many runs, achieving up a whopping 235 runs between them for the fourth wicket. This duo completely changed the game. During their partnership, Bavuma was an issue, altogether and chalked up his fourth test century, demonstrating how tough he could be.Their hard work paid off, making fully sure South Africa shot back into a strong position in the tournament. Even after Bavuma had to head out just before Day 1 was coming to an end, it didn't slow them down at all. The team finished the day looking very good with a score of 316-4.

First Test Hundred in 2025 - Ryan Rickelton.

First Test Double Hundred in 2025 - Ryan Rickelton.

What a remarkable start to the New Year Test, Incredible innings, dominating WTC cycle for South Africa 🙇🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/mVu924Putn

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 4, 2025

Day 2 Highlights

Rickelton and David Bedingham started batting again for South Africa. Rickelton obtained a strikingly large double century but Bedingham only got five runs before Mohammad Abbas got him out. By the morning break, the team obtained 370-5 after playing 95 overs, keeping their approach very powerful.Pakistan's bowlers, including the returning Mir Hamza and debutant Aamir Jamal, struggled to make breakthroughs. Both bowlers delivered long spells without success, leaving Pakistan to toil under the sun.

A Stellar Year for Rickelton

Since hitting the cricket scene in 2022, Rickelton has been joining it. He secured his first Test century in a match against Sri Lanka in December. Now, he's just played an amazing game against Pakistan. Rickelton's been solid as a top-order batter, adapting to any difficult pitch or bowler set forth. This makes him vitally key to South Africa's team.Adding to his accolades, Rickelton was picked by the Mumbai Indians for ₹1 crore during the IPL auction in November, reflecting his growing stature in world cricket.

Ryan Rickelton Scores Maiden Test Century Against Pakistan in 2025

Ryan Rickelton secured his first Test century on January 3, 2025, while he was playing against Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town. Scoring large in this game proved to everyone that he's a stable and calm batsman capable of dealing with major game stress. The score is very important in his cricket career. Ryan Rickelton secured his first Test century on January 3, 2025, while going, currently, facing Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town.

Scoring big in this game proved to everyone that he's a stable and relaxed batsman capable of dealing with important game stress. The score is very important in his cricket career. Ryan Rickelton secured his first Test century on January 3, 2025, while currently facing Pakistan in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town. Scoring major in this game proved to everyone that he's a stable and reliable batsman capable of dealing with intense game stress.

ALSO READ:Abhishek Sharma & Prabhsimran Singh: Dominant Displays in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 and Their India vs England Squad Hopes

The score is very important in his cricket career.

The Build-Up: South Africa's Batting Struggles

South Africa chose to bat first after winning the toss on a bouncy pitch at Newlands but it turned out to be a tough call. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton had a good start as openers, putting up 61 runs together, until Markram was sent out by a strong ball from Pakistan's fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, scoring only 17.

South Africa was in a tough spot, 72 for 3 at lunch, because their middle-order couldn't handle the pressure and fell apart. Wiaan Mulder, batting at number three, had a rough time with the Pakistani bowlers and nicked out after making only 5 runs. After losing wickets quickly, there was a significant quotient of pressure on the South African team.Now, everyone is hoping Rickelton can save the innings.

HUNDRED FOR RYAN RICKELTON...!!!! 🙇

- 2nd Test Hundred for Rickelton, fantastic Knock, South Africa dominating in this WTC Cycle. pic.twitter.com/fCVFYTmIBZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 3, 2025

Rickelton's Resilience: A Century to Remember

After holding a lunch, Rickelton returned to the field, calm and ready to go. He's understood a strong way of playing that lets him remain placid, even when things start off somewhat rough. He wasn't at all shaken by the tough Pakistani bowlers, facing them with a significant quotient of guts. Rickelton is tough to get out because he's really proficient at not going after balls that aren't worth it, and can hit the ball perfectly, whether it's approaching toward him fast or with spin.

Rickelton and captain Temba Bavuma, along with the middle-order, really worked together nicely as the day progressed. Even though Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas from Pakistan were making things difficult, Rickelton stayed calm. He took his time, played it safe, and gradually kept obtaining more.

Rickelton finally hit 100 runs after 173 balls during the post-tea session, and this made both his team and the fans from South Africa extremely happy. The way he played, showing quality, skill, and toughness, was very noticeable in his innings. By reaching his century, Rickelton didn't simply hit a personal goal he also gave South Africa the solid performance they really needed, which they hadn't had earlier that day.

Afghanistan's cricket group had to make some moves to change things after facing big challenges. For their match in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe, they decided to change the order and made five changes to their lineup. They're working very hard to get that win now. In addition, they're welcoming back their captain, Rashid Khan, who missed the first test due to some personal matters he had to deal with.

ALSO READ:Virat Kohli's first-ball survival creates controversy

After making it to the semi-finals for the first time ever at the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan faced a tough loss, losing to South Africa with nine wickets to spare. The group was really hoping to bounce back from that hard time, and Rashid stepping up as a leader gave them new energy. When the match was over, Rashid showed how much he and the team felt about it all - they were proud but knew they had to be better for the next time.

The game against Zimbabwe isn't simply any match it's a chance for Afghanistan to really prove how tough they are and how far they've come in cricket. They're mixing up who is playing, bringing in some new players, and it's a smart and informed play to uncover new talent and make the team better.

The team can't wait to get Rashid Khan back they're excited and it's making them want to try harder and improve. A series attempts them to demonstrate how skilled they are and to put in the hard work, all while making cricket a larger issue in Afghanistan. As they hit the field, it's not only just about them - they're also carrying the hopes of their country and shooting for a brighter future in cricket.

India's XI for the 5th Test vs Australia: A Balanced and Strategic Lineup

The Indian cricket team has unveiled its playing XI for the decisive 5th Test against Australia. This lineup demonstrates a calculated mix of experience and emerging talent, aiming to outwit Australia in a high-stakes encounter.

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India’s Playing XI

KL Rahul: The seasoned opener provides reliability and resilience at the top, crucial for setting a strong foundation.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young left-hander, known for his aggressive stroke play, offers a perfect counterbalance to Rahul.

Shubman Gill: At No. 3, Gill's flair and consistency will be key in stabilizing the innings.

Virat Kohli: The heart of India’s batting lineup, Kohli’s leadership and form in high-pressure situations remain invaluable.

Rishabh Pant: The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman is poised to play his natural attacking game and turn the tide when needed.

Ravindra Jadeja: A world-class all-rounder, Jadeja’s left-arm spin and batting skills add vital balance to the side.

Nitish Kumar: Known for his compact technique and adaptability, Kumar strengthens India’s middle order with dependable batting.

Washington Sundar: His all-round abilities, combining off-spin with lower-order resilience, make Sundar a critical component.

Prasidh Krishna: The tall pacer brings an element of surprise with his pace and bounce, suited for Australian conditions.

Jasprit Bumrah (C): The captain and pace spearhead, Bumrah’s leadership and skill will be central to India’s bowling attack.

Mohammed Siraj: Complementing Bumrah, Siraj’s energy and ability to move the ball add potency to the pace attack.

Strategic Takeaways

India’s choice to include Nitish Kumar reflects their focus on strengthening the batting lineup, ensuring depth in the middle order. Washington Sundar’s inclusion adds versatility, with his off-spin likely to come in handy on a wearing pitch.

The decision to play Prasidh Krishna instead of a second specialist spinner suggests a clear emphasis on exploiting pace and bounce, particularly against Australia’s top order.

Key Matchups to Watch

Jaiswal and Gill vs Starc and Cummins: India's young openers will be tested by Australia’s fiery pace duo.

Bumrah and Siraj vs Smith and Labuschagne: India’s pacers will aim to unsettle Australia’s backbone with early breakthroughs.