Something unprecedented happened on the India tour of Australia in 2018-19. This was the first time that India registered a test series victory against Australia in Australia.
India, under the leadership of ViratKohli, bagged the series 2-1 and the margin of victory could easily have been 3-1 had rain not marred the result of the last test in Sydney.
However, Australia were relatively weak at that point in the absence of two of their gun batters, Steve Smith and David Warner, who were suspended at that time. Hence, it will not be easy for India to repeat their heroics this time.
Here are the Indian players to look out for in the series Down Under:
Rohit Sharma
Despite missing the test series against New Zealand due to injury, Rohit Sharma is the fourth highest Indian run-scorer in the ongoing World Test Championship. Sharma has made 556 runs from just six test innings at an average of 92.66 and a strike rate of 75.95 in his second wind as a test cricketer.
Opening the batting for India, Sharma has already struck three centuries in the Test Championship with the best of 212. It would be a test for him as an opener Down Under but if it comes off, nothing like it.
Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara was sensational for India on their last tour and finished as the highest run-scorer with 521 runs from four matches at an average of close to 75. He showed exemplary concentration to bat for hours at a stretch until Australian bowlers had the life sucked out of them.
Mohammed Shami
Not just the Indian batsmen, the bowlers, too, outclassed the Australian bowlers the last time. Mohammed Shami was on song with 16 wickets from four matches at an average of 26.19.
The thing about Shami is that when he is on a roll, there are not many who are as formidable as him in world cricket. With the ability to move the ball both ways and a mean bouncer, he is a complete bowler in test cricket.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah was a revelation for India on their last tour Down Under, finishing as the top wicket-taker with 21 scalps from four matches at an average of just 17. Although Bumrah is returning from an injury and is perhaps not at his best, his slingy action and ability to consistently bowl over 140 kph makes him a delicious pick.
