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Australia’s tour of India begins with their first Test match at Chennai on February 22.
We’ll bring you the live coverage of the action throughout this game from 3pm AEDT.
The last time the two teams played, Indian skipper MS Dhoni announced it as India’s best chance to win a series in Australia.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Australia romped to a 4-0 win over their opponents, following England’s similar defeat of India and the knives were out against the beleaguered former world number one side.
India went on to lose another home series since then – a 2-1 loss to England – which has heaped the pressure on the side.
That home defeat at the hands of the English was set up by some good batting at the top of the innings and quality spin bowling from Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.
While Australia have the kind of batting quality to take on the Indian bowling, there are question-marks over their lack of slow bowling pedigree.
Australia have decided to go into this first Test match with only one spinner – Nathan Lyon. Three quicks and an all-rounder, Moises Henriques, will share the bowling duties, with Shane Watson no longer bowling.
With Dave Warner declared fit for this game the Australian top-order will see him open the innings with Ed Cowan. Phil Hughes and Shane Watson will bat at three and four.
Having not played a single warm-up game, Warner’s lack of practice going into this game will be a concern but Cowan’s starts in both those matches will warm the selectors’ hearts.
Speaking of the starting 11 and India could spring a surprise or two. Already the sacking of Gautam Gambhir has been the talking point but his replacement opener will be even more interesting.
In line to join Virender Sehwag as the second opener are three choices – Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane. Knowing skipper MS Dhoni’s penchant to pull out rabbits out of the proverbial hat, it is difficult to predict who will finally make it to the 11.
Sachin Tendulkar’s poor recent form has been a talking point everywhere. He quit ODIs to focus solely on this format and with a few big scores under his belt at the domestic level, he will be a confident man. Still, he has not posted a century in a Test for an age.
Lack of experience will be an Indian concern too. With no Rahul Dravid or Australia’s scourge VVS Laxman, it will be down to Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and one other batsman in the middle-order to propel the side’s interest forward.
With around half a dozen left-handers in the Australian line-up India could opt for Harbhajan Singh to partner R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha as their third spinner.
Australia’s last series win in India came in 2004 after which they have lost two successive series in this neck of the woods by a 2-0 margin. They will hope for a better start this time.
India, on the other hand, are in a desperate need for a series win and should feel at home on a slow and low Chennai track.
Live coverage of the game begins from 3pm AEST on Friday – join us!
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