IND vs AUS TEST LIVE: India are all set to take on Australia in the historic Border-Gavaskar trophy starting on February 09. Test matches between India and Australia have seen a number of legendary rivalries that have gone down in cricket lore, from the epic showdown between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne to Harbhajan Singh’s web over Ricky Ponting. Here is a look at some of the ongoing rivalries that will resurface throughout the upcoming Test series and play a significant role in determining the finalists for the ICC World Test Championship. Follow IND vs AUS LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
IND vs AUS TEST LIVE: Virat Kohli vs Nathan Lyon, Pujara vs Hazlewood, Ashwin vs Warner, 5 most exciting battles to WATCH OUT for in India vs Australia TEST: Check DETAILS
Virat Kohli vs Nathan Lyon
The 7-152 Nathan Lyon bowled in Adelaide’s opening Test of the series in 2014–15 gave Australia a 48–run victory, ruining Virat Kohli’s seemingly perfect debut as India’s Test captain. One of his victims was Kohli, who was bowled by an errant pull after scoring 141 with ease. Battles between Kohli and Lyon have gotten much more interesting since then.
While Kohli has been successful in scoring runs off the bowling, Lyon has dismissd Kohli seven times. The fact that Kohli has recently had some trouble against spinners adds additional spice to the game. Lyon will try to take advantage of India’s shifting fortunes, but Kohli, who is dominating the white-ball game, cannot be discounted.
Cheteshwar Pujara vs Josh Hazlewood
In recent years, Australia’s bowling attack has been taxed and troubled by Cheteshwar Pujara’s obstinacy. Josh Hazlewood is one among the bowlers who has been most upset by Pujara’s obstruction. Hazlewood cited Pujara’s tenacity as one of the factors contributing to Australia’s pacers’ inability to consistently take wickets in the Test series in 2018–19. Over the course of the series, the batter faced 1258 balls and used his obstinate batting to wear down Australia’s bowlers.
He repeated the feat in 2020–21, facing 928 balls and preventing Australia’s bowlers from leaving the field for an extended period of time. Both series were won by India, 2-1. Hazlewood would want to see Pujara back in India as quickly as possible. He has already dismissed him six times. The early departure of Pujara may greatly aid Australia’s efforts to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin vs David Warner
For almost ten years, David Warner has been Australia’s top performer. In Australia, he has scored more than 5000 runs at an average of 58.39. 14 half-centuries and 19 centuries are included in this. In India, though, his track record clearly varies. He has played in eight Tests, averaging 24.25, without scoring a century.
The presence of India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is primarily to blame for this. In Test matches, he has removed Warner from the ball 10 times, with five of those removals occurring in India. Overall, Ashwin seems to be superior to the left-hander. This matchup is tantalising because an aggressive batter like Warner would undoubtedly go for the kill against Ashwin’s cunning off-spin.
Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of the best players of the modern period, with a Test batting average of 60.89. His track record is excellent across all countries, and India is no exception. He averages 60.0 in Test cricket in India and has an overall Test average of 72.58 versus India. Ravindra Jadeja has occasionally upset Smith while at the same time.
In Test matches, he has four times taken Smith’s wicket. In addition, Smith learned the hard way after getting caught short of the crease during the Sydney 2021 Test between the two nations that Jadeja’s nimble fielding can be fatal for his adversary. On fields suitable for his style of bowling, Jadeja will present a greater test for Australia’s best batter.
Rohit Sharma vs Pat Cummins
The matchup between the two captains will be intriguing even if they haven’t frequently faced off in Tests. Both Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharman have had outstanding results as captains so far. Although Rohit has been trounced twice by Cummins in Test matches, the two have never met in India. In order to establish Australian dominance, Cummins will want to remove Rohit early on, while India’s skipper, who will also open the team’s batting, will look to offer strong starts at the top.
IND vs AUS TEST LIVE: Virat Kohli vs Nathan Lyon, Pujara vs Hazlewood, Ashwin vs Warner, 5 most exciting battles to WATCH OUT for in India vs Australia TEST: Check DETAILS
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