2014/15 is the last series when Australia defeated India in a Test series. Since then India has been dominant against Kangaroos both home and away winning four series straight in a row. Indian after-bowler Mohammed Shami would even go on to say Australia needs to be worried for the upcoming series later this year Down Under.
“We are the favorites, they should be worried,” Shami said as quoted by PTI. “I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time. However, I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I’ve to work on my fitness, so that there is no discomfort,” the 34-year-old said.
Earlier, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar predicted India to win the series once again with a scoreline of 3-1. “It’s going to be an exciting series for sure with the talent that is there on both sides and it will also show why Test match cricket is the ultimate format of our beloved game. Oh, and my prediction is a 3-1 win for India,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day.
“With their opening batting problems exacerbated after the retirement of David Warner and the middle-order also a bit dodgy, the Aussies are ripe for the taking once again,” reasoned Gavaskar.
Gavaskar would also emphasise that the lack of first-class games ahead of the series might cause India to start slowly yet again. “India being usual slow starters in an overseas series in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries the first Test will be crucial. That they aren’t playing proper first-class games before that as well as in the week long gaps between some Test matches could work against them,” he wrote.
“That said, it is how schedules are nowadays for most touring sides. It is tough on inexperienced newcomers as Yashasvi Jaiswal found in South Africa last year. He came back brilliantly with over 700 runs against England at home,” Gavaskar wrote.
