By Ravi Udupa
Feb 15: So, Kangaroos are here to play 4 tests, and in India. The teams have been announced. Australia will be playing a practice match from tomorrow. Looks like the right time to compare the teams, before the tests.
Yes, the mental games have already started, with both teams involving in war of words as it happens every time before a series starts. The games will be fought hard as India must establish themselves as the No 1 test team. Australia must regain it. India are almost through transition after major players retired (and luckily replacements were almost ready). Australia are still going through this transitional period.
Let us go through the teams, by positions.
Openers (India): Most likely, Vijay and Rahul will play all the tests. Abhinav Mukund will be back up. Vijay has been consistent but Rahul, for all his talent and belief kept by captain, has not been consistent despite some big scores in England series (had the misfortune of getting injured also). They have not build partnerships yet and are yet to establish in the team.
Openers (Australia): Warner and Renshaw will be openers. Warner is in form of his life. Renshaw has performed well in the last few tests against Pakistan. They have clicked as team during initial stages of their partnership.
Verdict: Thumbs up Australia, as India will be up against best bowlers of Australia (Starc and Hazelwood). Warner has the experience of playing enough in Indian conditions. Renshaw is talented.
X factor: Form of Umesh/Ishanth (when fired up).
Middle order (India): Pujara/Virat/Ajinkya, with Karun Nair as back up. Established, in form, great in Indian or in any conditions. Backbone for India in the recent series. Scores at fast pace and are technically very good.
Middle order (Australia): Khawaja/Smith/Handscomb with Shaun Marsh as back up. Good batsmen, can bat long, but no match for Indians, especially in Indian conditions. Smith is the only batsman, who is in the league of Indians.
Verdict: India has advantage here.
X factor: Smith plays spin beautifully.
Wicket-keeping: Comparing Saha and Wade, Saha looks better in Indian conditions. Experienced and a better batsman also in test conditions. Can play pace and spin. Although Wade is good, doubtful against spin.
Verdict: India have the advantage here.
Late order (India): Ashwin/Jadeja/Saha with Bhuvaneshwer/Jayanth as back up. Have big scores to back up. Can play as per situation. Have helped India whenever they are in a hole. Another reason for India’s success story in recent past.
Australia: Wade/Starc/Mitchell March with Agar as back up. Simply not in class of India. Marsh is a famed hitter, but has not succeeded in tests till now. Wade only is reliable.
Verdict: Advantage India.
X factor: Maxwell if he comes in and succeeds.
Fast bowling (Australia): Starc/Hazelwood/Bird. Starc and Hazelwood are a class apart. And are best bowlers. But can they take the load of taking 20 wickets in Indian conditions is the question.
India: Umesh/Ishanth/Bhuaneshwer/Shami. Very good as a team. Complement well to spinners in India. Very good exponents of reverse swing also and bowl very good with old ball.
Verdict: Both teams are equal in this respect (surprising that India equals Australia in fast bowling department).
X factor: Starc.
Spin bowling (Australia): Lyon/O’Keefe/Agar/Sweepson. Lyon is good. But others are average.
India: Ashwin/Jadeja/Jayanth with Kuldeep as back up. No need for any comments here. Ashwin and Jadeja are the best in world at present. In great form. In Indian conditions, any chink in Australian armour will be exposed, and traditionally spin is a major one.
Verdict: India win hands down.
X factor: Kuldeep Yadav.
Looking at the teams, India have an obvious advantage in Indian conditions. But in Bengaluru, India do not have a great test record and in Dharmshala, conditions suit fast bowling.
Attitude/aggression both teams have in plenty.
Sledging, Australia are the best, but India are not far behind.
Look forward to 20 days of real cricket before the carnival (IPL) starts.