Australia’s Test series against India has two ingredients promising a brilliant contest: a home side that hasn’t won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a decade, and a visiting side reeling from a humiliating home 3-0 series loss to New Zealand.
Few would have forgotten India’s series victory in Australia in 2020-21, when they were skittled for just 36 in their second innings of the first Test, only to win the second and fourth matches to retain the title.
In fact, India has won the past four series between the two countries, including two in Australia.
But things are different this time around – firstly it’s five Tests, not four, and India’s cricketing titans are not at the top of their game.
Rohit Sharma, the captain, will miss the opening Test for the birth of his child, while Virat Kohli has made just two centuries since 2019.
Australia is also in transition. Nathan McSweeney will make his debut at the top of the order and will be the only player under 30 in the side.
Both sides boast fearsome pace attacks, which will be unleashed on the bouncy Perth Stadium.
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