BATTLE OF EQUALS

When it comes to the Cricket, the mood in India suddenly changes. After a historic ‘Whitewash’ series in Sri Lanka, Indians are ready to lock horns with toughest challengers, Australia. A side that has never been too much away from India in rankings. It’s a side that has given difficulty. A side that matches India equally or more. A Series with 5 ODIs and 3 T-20’s, is starting tomorrow. Mark the following dates, because Fantastic Foes are here.

When it comes to playing with Australia, it is never enough to perform your best, you need to be better than the best if you want to beat them. The last limited over series between the sides was played in 2016. Australia won ODI series 4-1, whereas India bagged all 3 T-20’s. Somehow Indians could not match standards of Aussies. But the biggest difference this year is venue. Unlike last year when teams played over Australian soil, this year India will be playing at home. Tomorrow the coin will be tossed for the 1^st ODI of the tour in Chennai. It will take preparation of another level to beat India on their own turfs for any team in the world.

Both the teams will be trying to keep their best foot forward. The teams are selected and Australia seems (as always) strong. While on Indian side, no one answered the ‘mystery’ of giving rest to India’s best spinners, R Ashwin and Jadeja, in first 3 ODIs. Australians have already admitted that Dhawan not playing is an advantage for them, but they are forgetting that Ajinkya Rahane is the most favourite to occupy that void. Rahane’s past records against Australia is sign of relief for India. An addition to Indian side is ‘Chinaman’ Kuldeep Yadav. He will be India’s new weapon and Australians know this too, that’s the reason they’ve invited Chinaman to their practice session. This may lead to deffusion of India’s new weapon. Other than this India have their all usual stars. Indians seem ready to match Australians standards this time.

Ajinkya Rahane(R) and Kuldeep Yadav

The age old rivalry between these two teams is something that adds more zest in every series they play against each other. Whether it is the competition between Border-Gavaskar for scoring highest runs or Bat vs ball competition between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warn, it has always entertained us. We have memories of Bajji vs Symonds, Epic comeback by Dravid and Laxman in 2001 Kolkata test, sledging and mocking battles from 2016 series. This series won’t be an exception to such memorable battles. We are about to have almost a month full of classic batting, bowling, fielding and of course verbal battles, stares and glares. This series will undoubtedly add few more chapters in this timeless rivalry.

Dates to be Marked: 
17 Sept : 1^st ODI, Chennai
21 Sept : 2^nd ODI, Kolkata
24 Sept : 3^rd ODI, Indore 
28 Sept : 4^th ODI, Bengaluru
01 Oct : 5^th ODI, Nagpur 

07 Oct : 1^st T-20, Ranchi
10 Oct : 2^nd T-20, Guwahati
13 Oct : 3^rd T-20, Hydrabad