The last time when Australia won a test series in India, Shane Warne was still captaining the side, and their red ball all-rounder Cameron Green was no more than 5 years of age, but since then much has changed, the Australian dominance was overthrown by the new generation of Indians not only at home but also down under.
The very shift has made the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series one of the most intense rivalries in the modern time, but this time the Kangaroos will come in the series ranked no.1 in the world just like they did back in 2004, while India’s hero from the last series- Rishabh Pant is longer in rescue for the men in blue. Does that mean a level ground for both teams?
The battle of favorites
Arguably the best two test sides in the world currently, the clash is bound to bring in sparks and endless opinions from the across the cricketing world. While some believe the hosts have the heavy home advantage, others think of as Australia as the better side of the two. But Ian Chappell has fully dismissed the statement.
“Those comments that are coming from Australia are based on how the Australian team performed at home. Playing well in Australia is a hell of a lot different to playing well in India. They’ve got some players there who are talented enough to play well in India. But the thing is, you can go to India with a lot of confidence. But if they suddenly get you out cheaply a couple of times, how long can you maintain that confidence in India? That’s going to be a crucial thing.” he said.
Ian Chappell, pic credits: Twitter
“It’s going to start with India as favorites in the series. But that shouldn’t bother the Australian cricket team.” added Chappell.
Who does the stat favor?
While the host India hold the record for the most no. of consecutive home wins( 15), it is to be noted that Pat Cummins and Co. haven’t lost a single series since the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy which also includes series in the subcontinent nations, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Talking of individual battles, Australia’s main-man Steve Smith despite being one of the best foreign players known to play spin, has time and again been tested by the sharp tactics of Ashwin. The two have met on 24 occasions with the off-spinner dismissing the no. 49 six times.
Similarly so, the head tweaker of the Australian side Nathan Lyon has got the better of Kohli the joint-most number of times (7) in Test cricket, with James Anderson and the highest by any spinner. The other notable battle could be between the two captains Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins.
The two sides will face each other for the series opener on 9 February in Nagpur.