The most anticipated Test series which would conclude India's home season is upon us and it can't get any better as top players of the Virat Kohli-led team are going to clash with Steve Smith's devils.
Australia are touring India for a full Test series for the first time since they were whitewashed 0-4 by the hosts in the 2012-13 season. The Aussies later defeated India 2-0 in a four-Test rubber played Down Under in the 2014-15 season.
Australia have not won a Test match in India since 2004 and their last series win in Asia came against Sri Lanka in 2011. They have since suffered nine straight Test losses in the subcontinent.
Meanwhile, India, riding on the euphoria of a fairytale 19-match unbeaten streak, will aim to continue their momentum and strengthen their top spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
1. Steve Smith
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Currently the World No. 1 Test player is Australia's greatest hope on this subcontinental tour. Daddy hundreds from the captain can just tilt the advantage in the visitor's favour
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2. Virat Kohli
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The Indian skipper has grown by leaps and bounds after taking over the captaincy mantle. Four double centuries in four consecutive Test series makes Kohli India's premier weapon against the Aussies
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3. David Warner
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The pocket-sized dynamo is in the form of his life scoring hundreds at will and his aggressive mindset might just set the tone for the series
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4. Murali Vijay
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Plenty of runs against England and Bangladesh means Vijay will shoulder the responsibility of keeping Australian speedsters at bay in the initial overs and then build a platform for the middle-order
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5. Shaun Marsh
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The left-hander having played a lot of cricket in India courtesy IPL will be entrusted with the job of dealing with India's spin attack and providing substance to the middle-order
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6. Ajinkya Rahane
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Rahane has failed to live up to his reputation off late but his tendency to bring his A game to the fore on big occasions makes him a vital cog in India's middle-order
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7. Mitchell Starc
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Australia had a forgetful Sri Lanka tour but Starc did the talking with the ball. Coming to India as the leader of his team's pace attack, Starc is poised to trouble the star-studded Indian batting order
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8. Ravichandran Ashwin
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After achieving all that was there to achieve in the last year, Ashwin can just grow his legend from here on. Kohli will be hoping that his spin wizard casts a magic spell to fox the visiting batsmen.
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9. Nathan Lyon
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Having already played a Test series in India, Lyon knows what it takes to be successful on these spin-friendly wickets and his variations with the ball will play a big role in Australia's fortunes
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10. Ravindra Jadeja
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Ashwin's partner in crime Jadeja is also the World No. 2 Test bowler and his aggressive batting down the order provides India an edge over Smith's men
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