India-Australia series preview: India, unbeaten in last 19 test matches. 6 consecutive series wins (their best in cricket history), captain has scored a double hundred in last 4 series he has played, their main bowling weapon just became fastest human being to reach 250 test scalps.
Australia: Last 9 test matches in Asian conditions: LLLLLLLLL. (Remember no draws and 3 of these losses were against comparatively weak Sri-Lankan side), one series win in last 48 years in India, Young team (half of whom have never even played a test in India).
Does the gap between sides before any series get any wider than this?
Hardly.
So, does that mean we should stop bothering to watch coming four test matches being played against Australia? Does that mean that Aussies have not got a cat in a hell's chance to win here? Should we start to watch something else other than cricket in next 6 weeks when we already know what is going to happen?
No. No and No. Admittedly, Australia start as massive underdogs in this series. But, after all they are Australia. They don't stop fighting. They are bloody hard to beat. Any day. Any time. You just can't cross your way with them without getting a good, real fight. If they go down, they will do that while fighting their way. They are a guarantee of entertainment. So, Yes. We must watch these four coming test matches.
Coming back to their strengths, they have rejuvenated themselves in last couple of months after the fiasco in Sri-Lanka and home series defeat by Proteas and they have energized the whole squad by changing the selection policies etc. It has worked. Peter Handscomb, Matt Renshaw both were brought in as replacements and have clicked. Both got massive hundreds against Pakistan and they have looked good. Steve Smith averages over 60 after playing 50 test matches. He is currently number 1 test batsman. David Warner remains as dangerous as ever. Along with Smithy, Peter Handscomb is excellent player of spin. Khawaja is another danger-man. Australia will take encouragement from Mitchell Starc's form in Sri-Lankan series, where he was one of few bright spots. Hazlewood's ability to gain conventional swing as well as reverse swing makes him a potent weapon in any conditions. Australia have got two quality spinners in O'keefe and Lyon. It is not completely dark after all. There is a huge potential in this side and they can definitely give a real challenge to India.
Sadly, on the other hand, they are up against arguably the best home team ever in the history of test cricket. When it comes down to Beating India in India, you have more chance of landing a truck on Mount Everest than accomplishing this feat. Very few teams have done this in past and worse, very few teams have even looked competitive against India in India. Most of them are white-washed, those who avoid it: they avoid it barely. Australia's last test tour of India was a complete disaster with Homework-gate incident and leading to suspension of a lot of players which ultimately lead to sack of their coach Mickey Arthur. Needless to say, the scoreline was 4-0. It was a forgettable tour for them.
If these facts were not scary enough, India are in sublime touch. They are crushing opposition after opposition. The ease with which they beat England will send some message to other teams. England, with all due respect have always been a good visitor to India. They were able to draw the series a couple of times before winning it on their last tour in 2012-13. This time, they were blown away 4-0. Virat Kohli is in the form of his life, along with Ashwin and Jadeja who will be licking their lips to go berserk on Australian batsman. Cricket in Indian condition will look like almost a different sport to Smith and Co. Only a miraculous performance can save them. Forget about the series win, even avoiding a whitewash will be a nice accomplishment.
All of Indian batters seem to be in good nick apart from KL Rahul, who has been very inconsistent on the top. With Ashwin's and Jadeja's ability to bat, it provides an amazing balance to the side. Indian pacers have often not been given credit for sneaking in with crucial wickets when needed. Shami, Umesh and Ishant have troubled the batsmen a lot in last couple of series. The focus on spinners is just so much that they often don't get noticed, but I have always felt that they have done their job beautifully in silence. Coping them won't be as easy as it seems for Australia.
So, all set for an extremely exciting series. I can't wait for TEST 1, DAY 1, SESSION 1. What about you?
Australia: Last 9 test matches in Asian conditions: LLLLLLLLL. (Remember no draws and 3 of these losses were against comparatively weak Sri-Lankan side), one series win in last 48 years in India, Young team (half of whom have never even played a test in India).
Does the gap between sides before any series get any wider than this?
Hardly.
So, does that mean we should stop bothering to watch coming four test matches being played against Australia? Does that mean that Aussies have not got a cat in a hell's chance to win here? Should we start to watch something else other than cricket in next 6 weeks when we already know what is going to happen?
No. No and No. Admittedly, Australia start as massive underdogs in this series. But, after all they are Australia. They don't stop fighting. They are bloody hard to beat. Any day. Any time. You just can't cross your way with them without getting a good, real fight. If they go down, they will do that while fighting their way. They are a guarantee of entertainment. So, Yes. We must watch these four coming test matches.
Coming back to their strengths, they have rejuvenated themselves in last couple of months after the fiasco in Sri-Lanka and home series defeat by Proteas and they have energized the whole squad by changing the selection policies etc. It has worked. Peter Handscomb, Matt Renshaw both were brought in as replacements and have clicked. Both got massive hundreds against Pakistan and they have looked good. Steve Smith averages over 60 after playing 50 test matches. He is currently number 1 test batsman. David Warner remains as dangerous as ever. Along with Smithy, Peter Handscomb is excellent player of spin. Khawaja is another danger-man. Australia will take encouragement from Mitchell Starc's form in Sri-Lankan series, where he was one of few bright spots. Hazlewood's ability to gain conventional swing as well as reverse swing makes him a potent weapon in any conditions. Australia have got two quality spinners in O'keefe and Lyon. It is not completely dark after all. There is a huge potential in this side and they can definitely give a real challenge to India.
Sadly, on the other hand, they are up against arguably the best home team ever in the history of test cricket. When it comes down to Beating India in India, you have more chance of landing a truck on Mount Everest than accomplishing this feat. Very few teams have done this in past and worse, very few teams have even looked competitive against India in India. Most of them are white-washed, those who avoid it: they avoid it barely. Australia's last test tour of India was a complete disaster with Homework-gate incident and leading to suspension of a lot of players which ultimately lead to sack of their coach Mickey Arthur. Needless to say, the scoreline was 4-0. It was a forgettable tour for them.
If these facts were not scary enough, India are in sublime touch. They are crushing opposition after opposition. The ease with which they beat England will send some message to other teams. England, with all due respect have always been a good visitor to India. They were able to draw the series a couple of times before winning it on their last tour in 2012-13. This time, they were blown away 4-0. Virat Kohli is in the form of his life, along with Ashwin and Jadeja who will be licking their lips to go berserk on Australian batsman. Cricket in Indian condition will look like almost a different sport to Smith and Co. Only a miraculous performance can save them. Forget about the series win, even avoiding a whitewash will be a nice accomplishment.
All of Indian batters seem to be in good nick apart from KL Rahul, who has been very inconsistent on the top. With Ashwin's and Jadeja's ability to bat, it provides an amazing balance to the side. Indian pacers have often not been given credit for sneaking in with crucial wickets when needed. Shami, Umesh and Ishant have troubled the batsmen a lot in last couple of series. The focus on spinners is just so much that they often don't get noticed, but I have always felt that they have done their job beautifully in silence. Coping them won't be as easy as it seems for Australia.
So, all set for an extremely exciting series. I can't wait for TEST 1, DAY 1, SESSION 1. What about you?
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