So the much awaited test series of the year is ready to take off. India vs Australia is something that is known as “Clash of the Titans”. Australia being the best team since the early 90′s got India as their most dangerous competitor. Every series is termed as the World Championship since the late 90′s. Both teams have always put their maximum effort to win, especially when playing away. When the pride and honor are at stake, the clash rises more than a game. The battle which overshadowed the India-Pakistan series and the Ashes, could not be termed anything less than a heavy weight championship.



India: The number one test team, is struggling with injuries and bowling form of their leading stars. The team which is full of stars almost lost the title of being number one in the last test series against Sri Lanka. Being 1-0 down before going into the last test of the series, everyone thought of them not able to retain the title, all because of their poor bowling form. However as fortune favors the brave, once again the Indian team came out as winners from a do or die situation.

A series before that against the South Africans became a do or die situation for them after losing the Nagpur Test. But Australians don’t leave it to the last and this series has just 2 test matches and India can’t be complacent with their home record. The 1st test is in Mohali, which is known for the bouncy track, which surely is going to help Australians more. India has a serious issue with their bowling department. Though Zaheer and Ishant seems to be back on track, but the problem is with the 3rd seamer and the spinners.

Bhajji was out of sort in the last series. Australians rate the Turbanator very high, but may be this time they could play him better than ever. But at the same time, Australia being Bhajji’s favourite team, possibilities are there for him to get back in form by getting his bunny again in test cricket.

On batting front, India looks more formidable than their rivals. A batting line up consisting of Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Raina and Dhoni is nothing less than a world class batting line up. If they all pitch in, it would be hard to lose for sure. The second test is in Bangalore, where the track is more favourable to the Indians. So if there is a situation of do and die, India would have an upper hand to retain the title once again.

Australia: Indian conditions are no more alien to them. With so many series played in the last decade and the Australian players being a part of IPL, they have learnt a lot how to play and tackle Indian conditions. Though they are not invincible anymore, but Australians are known for their never give up spirit.

Their main concern would be how to battle out the spinners on Indian tracks as every time they have traveled to India, they have either lost to the spinners or to VVS Laxman. The batsmen look vulnerable against quality spin, and their best batsman still not able to sort it out how to play one spinner even after 4 tours to India. Their bowling is better than that of India, especially with their pace department, Doug Bollinger, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson are better than the Indian trio, but it would be hard for them also to get the Indians out in their home soil.

Hauritz would be belted for sure, so expecting anything from him would be like putting extra pressure. It would be interesting to see whom they play as openers, they have brought 3 openers, Watson, Hughes and Katich. Middle order is solid but number 6th and 7th can not be termed more than decent players. So it could be like last time South Africa visited India, winning the first test at Nagpur and losing the second test at Kolkata, are we going to see the same this time around as well? You never know, when you are playing against the Indians on Indian turf.

The players to watch out for would be:

India: VVS Laxman, V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh
Australia: S Watson, R Ponting, M Hussey, D Bollinger