The most awaited test series of the year is all set to kick off in no time as India the touring party take on the almighty Australians on their home soil for the first time since 2018. The tour began with Australia wrapping up the ODI series with a 2 – 1 lead over the Indian side whereas in return the Indians dominated the T20 series after winning the first two games of the series. With the ODI and T20 series poised at 1 – 1, the winner of the test series would decide the ultimate winner of the tour.
When India visited Australia last time in 2018, the Indians had the upper hand over the Australians as the won the series 2-1 which was without the absence of Australian starlets David Warner and Steve Smith but this time with their presence in the squad, its going to slightly more competitive than what it was during the last tour.
India will be missing the services of their skipper, Virat Kohli, after the first test at Adelaide as he’s all set to fly back home as he’s expecting his first child with wife, Anushka Sharma. On the other hand, pace bowler Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the entire tour after sustaining an injury during the IPL. While Rohit Sharma is expected to play the final two tests after serving the 14-day quarantine.
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Let’s take a look at the 5 key players to watch out for when India lock horns with Australia in the Test series:
5. Ajinkya Rahane
A lot will be expected off Ajinkya Rahane’s willow in the absence of Virat Kohli for the majority matches in the series. After having played as Virat Kohli’s deputy for the majority of his career, for the very first time, Ajinkya Rahane will be getting a full-fledged series to captain the Indian side. Prior to this, Rahane had captained India against Afghanistan in a one-off test but other that one series, as a full-time skipper Rahane has never got the opportunity which is why this series will hold esteemed importance in his career.
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During the last tour in 2018, Rahane scored 217 runs in 7 innings at an average of 31 which included 2 fifties. This year Rahane will look to outdone his own record from the previous tour to Australia. The Mumbai born has already had a terrific start to the tour after he smashed an unbeaten 117 against Australia A.
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