Australia have a realistic chance of ending Test cricket drought in India

Make no mistake, winning a Test series in India is the toughest challenge in cricket. Only Andrew Strauss’s England, who are becoming an increasingly underrated team as the years go by, have conquered this formidable terrain in the last 18 years.

The famous Ashes series win in England, another Australian bogey, might get a lot more attention, but beating India in comfort elevates Pat Cummins’ team to the level of greatness.

England’s seam-friendly surfaces have proved a thorn in Australia’s side, with an even longer series-winning drought than India’s, but India’s spinning, dusty covers have caused their darkest moments.

Even their all-time greats haven’t been immune. Legendary legspinner Shane Warne was beaten by rival Sachin Tendulkar in 1998 as he rarely was before or since. Ricky Ponting could barely sniff a run in 2001, tormented by spinner Harbhajan Singh.

There was also an embarrassing homework scandal in 2013 that practically cost then-coach Mickey Arthur his job.

Against the odds, the inexperienced Australia battled surprisingly hard in 2017 before running out of steam towards the back. Then the sandpaper saga derailed them 12 months later, with Australia subsequently losing two home series against India, who had never before tasted success Down Under.

After a dominant 12 months under new captain Pat Cummins, a confident Australia have moved to the top of the Test table – which honestly doesn’t mean much – but the eye test shows this is the best team in the country. after their heyday ended in 2007.

With the possible exception of spin depth, Australia are well equipped across the board, although some untimely injuries to such a solid squad will reveal warts ahead of their big Indian challenge.

With quick Mitchell Starc ruled out of the first Test, all-rounder Cameron Green could join his side in the series opener due to a finger injury, seriously unsettling Australia’s balance.

While India’s pitches are expected to spin violently, Australia’s best chance of winning the series is probably to replicate their famous plan in 2004, where they deployed three paces alongside Warne, who had a mostly middle-order record in India but was used effectively to feature. scrap work.

Without Green’s sharp seamers, Australia will more than likely have to use one of their spare spinners – Mitchell Swepson, Ashton Agar and the uncapped Todd Murphy. Legspinner Swepson is probably the best candidate, although he struggled mostly in Pakistan and Sri Lanka and was out in the Australian summer, despite performing well on the back of the Big Bash League season.

Against South Africa earlier this month, Agar returned after a five-year Test absence and has never proved his worth in the longer format.

Green’s absence is turning out to be a game-changer for Australia, who are nevertheless realistically dreaming of a series win in India for the first time since 2004. They may not make India more vulnerable as the hosts will be without injured stars Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabhia Pant, who was involved in a horrific car accident recently.

Australia’s bowlers, especially Cummins, can bowl tireless spells that are crucial to survival in India’s juiced conditions. Front-line spinner Nathan Lyon looms as the main key and will need a buffer set in anticipation of India’s star attacks.

Australia’s batting position looks a bit shakier as they don’t have much experience in Indian bar veterans Steve Smith and David Warner, who have a poor record there. There has been much talk of No.5 Travis Head’s frailty in South Asia and how easy it is to unleash such horse-whacking in the comforts of home when a great platform has been laid, as has been done repeatedly over the summer.

The head will be a litmus test for Australia, and if he backs up his attacking instincts, it could be instructive about the team’s approach and general confidence, which has been slowly rebuilt since the dark days at Newlands.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Australia are justified in believing they can pull off an era-defining victory in India.

Don’t be surprised if they rise to the toughest challenges in cricket.