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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4. Steve Smith
When we talk about Steve Smith, the only thing that comes to our mind is his unorthodox style of batting which has helped him score tons of runs for his national side. After having missed the last series against India in 2018 due to the sandpaper scandal, Steve Smith will be hungry to score runs because the last time Australia played against India, they terribly missed Steve Smith in the middle order which was quite evident in their batting show as none of them got going.
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Talking about his recent form, Steve Smith will be going into the Test series after scoring two back to back hundreds in the ODI series against India which is why his confidence will be an all-time high. After having missed the opportunity to score runs the last time India visited Australia, Smith will be looking to go hard at the Indian bowlers.
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3. Marnus Labuschagne
The South Africa born batsman is often regarded as another version of Steve Smith all because of the carnage he has caused after subbing in for Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes test at Lords. After that particular match, Marnus has looked a completely different player altogether. In the 14 match Test career of Marnus, he has scored 1459 runs at a staggering average of 63.43 which includes four centuries and one double century.
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The right-handed batsman’s record stands for himself as he has already displayed the fearless brand of cricket he plays. When he made his debut against Pakistan in the UAE, he wasn’t considered good enough to play for Australia but after the show, he has put up against England in the 2019 Ashes series, it is being said that he’s the best batsman in Australia after Steve Smith which is why it will definitely be an enormous challenge for the Indian bowlers to bowl to.
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2. Pat Cummins
The Aussie speedster will be another player to watch out for given that he has been sensational form ever since he has made his comeback to the international arena. The mainstay of the Australian bowling attack will have the advantage of playing at home soil and will definitely use it to his advantage.
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During the last series against Australia in Australia, Cummins picked up 14 wickets in 4 matches which really wasn’t his best show as he’s capable of more than that which is why this time he will look to better his own record from the previous series. Also apart from Cummins’ bowling, the right-hander is a very handy batsman down the order as he did display his batting prowess during those matches against India.
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1. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah will be India’s most reliable mainstay bowler in this series for India in the absence of veteran seamer Ishant Sharma. India will be missing a lot in terms of experience with the absence of Ishant Sharma since the latter debuted against Australia in 2008 and has troubled the Australians on every single tour.
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With Ishant missing, Bumrah will have to step in as he will be responsible to lead India’s pace attack in the absence of Speedster Sharma, During the last Australian tour, Bumrah was the highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps under his name picked at an average of 17.
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