India's Tour of Australia

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India is going to tour Australia in the month of November and December to play T20, ODI and test matches. Last time, India trashed Australia less Warner and Smith in the test series by 2 - 1. This time it would be interesting to see if they can repeat this feat. It won't be easy. This time Australia's batting is much stronger as Warner and Smith are back and Labuschange is at the number 3.

On the other side, Virat Kohli will be only available for the first test as he will leave the tour in between as he is expecting his first child. Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are not fully fit so it will be interesting to see if India can put a fight with the Aussies. My prediction is Australia will win the test series 3 - 0 0r 3 -1. It does not matter who wins the T20 and ODI series but the pride will be at stake for the test series. 

Let's a glance through the predicted XI of both teams for the first test match that would be a first day-night test match between these two teams. 

India's probable for the first test match:                        Australia's probable for the first test

1. Rohit Sharma/Shubham Gill                                  1. Warner

2. Mayank Agarwal                                                    2. Burn

3. Pujara                                                                      3. Labuschange

4. Kohli                                                                       4. Smith

5. Rahane                                                                    5. Travis Head

6. Vihari                                                                      6. Wade

7. Pant                                                                         7. Paine

8. Jadeja                                                                      8. Lyon

9. Ishant Sharma/Saini                                                9. Cummins

10. Shami                                                                    10. M Starc

11. Bumrah                                                                  11. Hazlewood


On paper, Australia looks really strong compared to India. Let's compare some of the key players of both the squads. 

Rohit Sharma vs David Warner

Rohit Sharma did a good job in the recent test series however these test matches were played in our own backyard. In Australia, it would be a different ball game, especially in the test series. If Rohit players well in this series, in a testing environment, we can finally assure that he has arrived in the test arena. Opposite to this, Warner is a very successful test player on the Australian grounds. 

Pujara vs Labuschange

This would be a tie or a very slight advantage in the favour of Labuschange. Last time, Pujara did a great job and helped India to win the series in Australia for the first time. Can he repeat the same feat? Labuschange has been a star performer for Australia for the last two years and so. His pairing with Smith will be an alarming sign for India. 

Kohli Vs Smith

Most people will think that this must be a tie. But, you look at the record, Smith is ahead of Virat in test cricket. Virat may be the best present batsman in all formats but if we consider only test cricket then Smith is more dangerous. We will sure miss the competition between these two legends as Virat is only available for the first test match. 

Lower Middle Orders

India will have Rahane, Vihari and Pant while Australia will have Head, Wade and Paine. Paine is a better wicket-keeper compare to Pant but Pant is surely a better batsman between these two. Rahane was a good player on bouncy track in the past but he is not among runs in the recent matches. Among all these six batsmen, Rahane will be ranked as the number one but recent form is more important than ranking.  Vihari has been underrated for so many years now. He gets to play only when India tours outside Asia and that is also in the 6th position where you have to play with bowlers. For Australia, Head and Wade are good players in their own backyard. 

Bowling Attack

Both teams had the same bowling attack last time too. Indian bowlers outplayed their Australian counterparts last time. However, this time Australian bowlers will be going to dominate due to their strong batting line-up. In the last tour, the Australian bowling line-up did not get enough support from their batters. On the other hand, Indian bowlers will face a stiff challenge with the addition of Smith, Warner and Labuschange in the Australian batting line-up. 

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