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Test matches between India and Australia have always provided the cricket-loving public of both countries with some riveting contests. Presence of some iconic players in both teams over the years has facilitated that and resulted in some fascinating rivalries, the most notable perhaps being Sachin Tendulkar vs Shane Warne.The upcoming Test series between the two countries vying for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Brisbane on December 4, also promises some mouth-watering contests between individuals who will be key to their side’s chances of winning the 4-match series. Here's a look at 5 battles that one could look forward to in the Test series:
#5 Steve Smith vs Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja endured a poor Test series in England, so one could expect Ravichandran Ashwin to feature in the playing XI for the upcoming Tests. His overseas record isn't great, but he does have a chance to correct that when faces up to the Australian batsmen. One of the reasons why the 28-year-old performed so well against Australia in the 2013 home series was that he was looking to get his wickets of the off-break and was using his carrom ball only sparingly.
While the Australian pitches won't offer him as much help as the ones back home, there will be bounce on offer and one can expect him to get wickets.
Among the current group of Australian batsmen, Steve Smith seems to be someone who can handle the turning ball well. He showed it last year against India in the subcontinent when he used his feet down the pitch brilliantly to neutralize the Indian spinners.
With the New South Welshman never being shy of attacking the spinner right from the outset of his innings, it will be interesting to see how Ashwin bowls to him.
#4 David Warner vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar
David Warner has played some sparkling innings for Australia at the top of the order in recent times. He had a good series against India the last time that the Indians had travelled Down Under, with him scoring a breathtaking 180 in the third Test at Perth. Like some of his other team-mates, he too is coming off a terrific home season where he piled on the runs with the bat.
But the little pocket dynamo will know that in the current series, he needs to be careful early on since he will be up against his team-mate at Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The 24-year-old had a good time in England earlier in the year, and his ability to swing the ball both ways have troubled many batsmen thus far.
India will be desperately hoping that he gets Warner's wicket in the initial overs on every occasion, as that would put the Aussies on the back foot immediately.
#3 Michael Clarke vs Ishant Sharma
In the absence of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma has taken over as the leader of the Indian pace attack. He had a successful time in Australia in 2008 and picked up top-order wickets regularly. His spell to Ricky Ponting at Perth in 2008 is considered among the very best delivered by an Indian fast bowler on Australian soil.
He will once again be up against a quality Australian batting line-up, led by captain Michael Clarke. The 33-year-old had a terrific series against India in 2011/12 and is coming off a good home season last year, where he scored two centuries at Brisbane and Adelaide. So one can expect a cracking contest between the duo in the Test series.
#2 Cheteshwar Pujara vs Ryan Harris
The leader of the Australian pace attack Ryan Harris had a successful Ashes last year, picking up crucial early wickets for his side on numerous occasions. Once he finished his job with the new ball, he often returned at the end of the day to pick up wickets with the old ball. He got Alastair Cook out on a few occasions with his late swing and could be a real threat for India in the upcoming series.
Among the current crop of Indian batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara seems to be the one who can tackle the swing of Harris. He did have his troubles with the incoming ball in England, but one can be sure that the 26-year-old from Saurashtra would’ve worked on that aspect of his game and should be ready to pile on the runs once again, in Australia.
#1 Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson
This one promises to be a mouth-watering contest. The 33-year-old is probably the world's best fast bowler at the moment along with Dale Steyn, and his ability to rattle batsmen with his pace and bounce makes him quite a handful. He had a terrific last home season, picking up 37 wickets in the Ashes and bouncing out most of the England batsmen.
However, if there is one player in the Indian team who can give it back to the Australian pacer with the bat, it is Virat Kohli. Among the young crop, he seems to be the only one who plays the pull shot convincingly, and his hundred against a South African attack consisting of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander in Johannesburg last year is proof that the 26-year-old is capable of handling quick bowling with efficiency.
