IND vs AUS: After a couple of convincing home victories against New Zealand and piling up the records, India will now host a four-match test series against Australia starting on 9th February 2023. India vs Australia face-off has always been highly exciting, challenging, and ‘heated’ as well. Every time, an India-Australia contest presents something that maintains the spectators’ interest.
Test matches between India and Australia have seen a number of iconic rivalries in the cricket tales, whether it be the epic showdown between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, Harbhajan Singh’s web over Ricky Ponting, or Virat Kohli facing off Mitchell Johnson.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 player battles to watch out for in India vs Australia test series:
IND vs AUS: Top 5 Player battles to watch out
- Ashwin vs Warner
Ashwin is a nightmare not only for David Warner but for the entire Australian batting lineup. The Australians have recruited a spinner in nets with a similar action to Ravichandran Ashwin, indicating their dread of him.
David Warner has been Australia’s staple at the top for nearly a decade now. In Australia, he has scored more than 5000 runs at an average of 58.39, Including 14 half-centuries and 19 centuries. But Ashwin’s off-spin has tricked this prominent left-handed batsman 10 times in tests. Therefore, it would be interesting to see how Warner handles the battle with Ashwin, whether he attacks or defends.
- Virat Kohli vs Nathon Lyon
Virat Kohli is one of the best in cricket in the world at present time and stands second on the tally of most hundreds with 74 centuries to his name. But Kohli had struggled against spin in the past and so is evident with Lyon taking him down 7 times. Lyon will now try to capitalize on India’s turning tracks, but Kohli, who is dominating the white-ball game, cannot be written off.
“Virat activates the beast mode slightly. His best performances have generally come against the Australian team. So you will have the expectations once again,” said Aakash Chopra.
- Rohit Sharma vs Nathon Lyon
Nathan Lyon is a major threat to India’s captain. The Indian captain, who is leading the team for the first time against Australia, will open the batting and also will look to provide solid starts at the top and convert it to long innings. Rohit Sharma has fallen six times to Nathan Lyon. It again will be a mouth-watering contest between those.
- Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith
Steve Smith is another one of the best players of the modern period, with a Test batting average of 60.89. His track record is excellent across all nations, and India is no exception. He averages 60.0 in Test cricket in India and has an overall Test average of 72.58 versus India.
Ravindra Jadeja, an all-rounder for India, has often beaten Smith at the same time. In Tests, he has taken Smith’s wicket four times. Aside from that, Jadeja’s superb fielding has been lethal for his opponent, as Smith discovered after getting caught short of the crease during the Sydney 2021 Test.
- Pujara vs Cummins
Pat Cummins and Cheteshwar Pujara’s matchup during the previous Australia-India series was one of the key player Battles. Cummins conquered Pujara five times in eight innings, but the batsman ultimately won the battle after facing 928 balls over the course of his eight innings and making important, series-defining contributions in Sydney and Brisbane.
Australia’s bowling attack has recently been put to the test and tortured by Cheteshwar Pujara‘s obstinacy. Few bowlers have been more annoyed by Pujara’s obstinacy than Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Josh is now been ruled out of the first test, thus Pujara and Cummins will battle off.
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