The time has come again when the two most entertaining nations clash for what could be a turning point in contemporary Test Match Cricket. The much-anticipated Test series between India and Australia gets underway in Bangalore on Thursday. A number of players on the Indian side are heading towards retirement and this is a brilliant opportunity for these cricketers to bow out on a high. Beating Australia in a test series irrespective of the location is something not many cricketers have experienced. For India this is the last series where the fab four will be playing together and it will be interesting to see if they can come good and guide India to a comprehensive test series victory. It has been over 10 years since a country has beaten Australia comprehensively in Test Cricket.
For a change, after a decade India has been tipped to be the favourites for the test series. With the Australians relatively inexperienced to the sub-continent conditions it throws open a big opportunity for India to repeat the performance of 2001. 6 players who took part in that great series are still present whereas there are only 2 from the Australian side.
India’s Chances
Despite the old age, the batting strength and the experience is with India. Gambhir and Sehwag have been in good form recently. Although there is some pressure on Rahul Dravid; he is due some runs and there is no better time to get them. Sachin Tendulkar is 77 runs behind Lara’s world record of scoring the maximum number of Runs in Test Cricket. Sachin will have a special place for himself in Test Cricket and the whole country is waiting to witness this moment. Very Very Special Laxman who has been the main nemesis for Australia over the years will try to continue to haunt his favourite opponents. He has always been behind the shadows of the Sachin and Dravid but would like to his list of marquee performances against the Australians.The Batting is completed by Saurav Ganguly who would like to finish on a high and only time will answer this. As usual India’s arsenal is strengthened by the presence of the two spinning stalwarts who are yet again India’s main hope in a home series. Dhoni, Zaheer and Ishant complete the line up and all are potential threats to the Aussies. Overall a great squad and should do exceedingly well if they play to their potential.
Australia’s Chances
Australia is definitely the weaker of the two teams and this is a true test of Australia’s reserve pool of players. The scene is perfect for the young cricketers to prove themselves. They have been in the country for over 2 weeks and they will look to up the tempo. Bangalore has never been favourable to India and this could is probably the best venue where the visitors could have started. The batting has plenty of class with the likes of Hayden, Ponting, Clarke and Hussey. They are the batting mainstay and it is very vital that two of these four players click every game if they want to compete. With only 4 players ever playing a test in India the team needs collective performances if they are to pull off a series winSimon Katich has been in great nick and the team management will be looking to him to give the team good starts. Watson and White are multi-faceted players who can change the course of the match. None of the bowlers have ever played a Test in India and it is going to be a tough challenge for them to bowl under these conditions. Lee leads the pace attack and will be raring to get some wickets in the bag. The Australians are in transition mode and are looking to fill the gaps left by Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist. The following four tests will show the resilience of this great cricketing nation.
Predictions:
I am guessing it will be a closely fought series which should end in a deadlock with the series score reading 1-1. My mind says India could clinch the series 2-1 but my heart says that the Australians will probably nick it 2-1
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