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.
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Matt
Guest
They don't want the DRS, it's too inaccurate and ruins games. ... Yeah, it sure might have ruined the game, for India! They're now chasing 100 odd more than they need to be, with possibly more runs yet to come by Clarke.
Richard
Guest
Are you being cynical? Sorry if I'm negative but it is best to keep the record straight. Until Clarke goes to 3 he can't be considered top draw. We all know that from junior cricket up.
Richard
Guest
Maybe he should be thankful there was no review system. Hero to zero is such a fine line in cricket! Still everyone should have a chance and otherwise it was a fine innings.
Richard
Guest
While he hasn't stamped his authority on this tour so far he has been solid, an opening stand of 60 odd is fine and he was no worse than others including Watson. Hughes is the worry at the moment. Lets wait till the end of the series before passing judgement!
Ken Hambling
Guest
Cowan has to go, 14 tests averaging 30 is not good enough. Watson, Warner, Marsh, Khawaja, Clarke, Henriques looks alot better for the ashes.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Captivating day of Test cricket. In my article a few days back, I was afraid this series was going to be a dour affair if the teams decided to play safety first no risk cricket. Thankfully, all the Australian batsmen batted with intent (sometimes a little recklessly), while Ashwin was superb for India. I would argue Dhoni's tactics of men on the boundary ensured a regular avenue of releasing pressure for the batsmen, so in that sense, that is something he may need to look at, and also underlines just how well Ashwin bowled. But he needs support at the other end, because neither Kumar or Sharma looked like threatening, while Harbhajan simply bowled too flat and short of a length, which allowed the batsmen to play him off the back foot with ease. As for tomorrow, Australia need to kick on and try to get to 400, which allows Clarke license to set attacking fields for his fast men. Ashwin's success is a perfect blueprint for Nathan Lyon, who I think is set for a good series if he does the same things he did in the summer, but not be so rushed. Time will tell
Richard
Guest
In the context of the first day Cowan did ok. 60 odd opening partnership is fine.
Joshua James
Roar Rookie
Lovely! BCCI get what they deserve!
Praveen
Guest
Yes well done pup and good effort by Moses , exciting match set up for tmr
jamesb
Guest
Good start by Australia. I have been very nervous about Australia's batting all day. After a good start, we were 5/153. But Pup and Moises did very well. Good debut knock by Moises. Hope this gives him confidence now with the ball. Pup is a class act. Another century from him. He needs to be Australia's Alistair Cook. Well done to Ashwin. For a moment I thought he was going to do a Jim Laker
Richard
Guest
Umpiring error re Clarke. Does that mean the lack of a review system has back fired on India?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And with that the day ends as well, with Australia at 7/316 in 95 overs. On paper it looks like Australia are slightly ahead but I get a feeling that they much better poised than that. For one, India have struggled with their batting in recent times and with the track looking how it did on day one, it will not get better for India. India will be slightly relieved that they got those two late wickets but the big fish Michael Clarke is still at the crease. He's on 103 and despite that umpiring error that could have seen him go early, it has been an excellent effort from him. As it has been from R Ashwin, who scalped six wickets. Cannot help but feel that finger injury to Ashwin that saw him being taken off for 55 minutes was the turning point of the day. That's it from me, will be back tomorrow with the second day at Chennai.
Red Kev
Guest
Clarke is class. Impressive debut from Henriques too. Dhoni with more defensive and slack captaincy today lets Australia back in the game. Ojha would have been very useful.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Clarke played out three balls last over from Jadeja trying to get that single, and attempted to get there next four balls but fails to find the gap. Off the ninth ball, he comes down the track and lofts it over the mid-off fielder for a four and gets to his 23rd Test match century! What an innings under trying conditions!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A maiden from Ashwin to Siddle. Three more minutes remain for the day's play. 7/312 in 94. Clarke, 99, will be on strike
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gets the strike on 99 and off three successive balls he shimmies down to drive it through the off side. Fails to pierce the gap each time. Stuck on 99 for now. Ashwin will bowl the 94th of the innings now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single off Jadeja to long-off takes Clarke to 99. He is still struggling with that right arm/shoulder is Clarke. 7/311 in the 93rd
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Clarke's moved to 98 with a tuck around the corner to fine-leg. The fielder has a long chase from deep square-leg. 7/310 in the 92nd. 10 more minutes of play remaining.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's because it is not always wise to bowl more overs - especially with the bowlers tiring out and the batsmen looking to carve out runs out of them. Wisely, MS Dhoni was looking to slow things down.
Red Kev
Guest
Ooh that's a shame, the tail could have trouble with the spin too, they generally do better against the pace. Still over 300, Australia will take that and Starc, Siddle, Pattinson can add a few if we're lucky.