A huge Test series gets underway this week as Australia take on India in a five-match tussle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth on Friday.
In the next seven and a half weeks two powerhouses of Test cricket will do battle as Australia look to reclaim the Trophy for the first time since 2014-15.
It is a key series for both nations as the World Test Championship final peeks over the horizon and the series will feature some of the best players in the format from Virat Kohli to Jasprit Bumrah to Travis Head.
- AUSTRALIA TO WIN SERIES 3-2
- YASHASVI JAISWAL TOP INDIA RUNSCORER
- PAT CUMMINS TOP AUSTRALIA WICKET-TAKER
Aussies Can Make Home Advantage Count In Tight Series
India have won each of their last four Test series with Australia, prevailing 2-1 in the most recent series in their own backyard in 2022/23.
But hosts Australia should be feeling optimistic ahead of this year's five-match battle with India, who lost their most recent Test series 3-0 against New Zealand in October and November.
That scoreline raised eyebrows and Australia have both the players and the advantage of playing at home to capitalise on any Indian vulnerabilities.
The Aussies were 2-0 winners when they faced New Zealand in a short Test series in March and they have lost just two of their last 15 Test series, winning nine of them.
Both of those losses came against India but there is a good opportunity for revenge, especially as India will be missing captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test.
That means Australia could take an early lead and they could edge this series 3-2.
AUSTRALIA TO WIN SERIES 3-2
Jaiswal Can Shine On Australian Soil
The absence of Sharma early on means there could be some competition to be India's top runscorer in this Test series.
Virat Kohli has traditionally performed well in Australia, where he has his highest Test average outside of India at 54.08 while he has also struck six Test centuries down under.
But Kohli does not go into this series in great form, having scored just one century in his last ten Test matches.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, is one to watch in Test cricket and is already averaging 56.28 in the format.
He scored 190 runs across three Tests with New Zealand in October and earlier this month and he looks ready to take his game to the next level in his first Test appearance in Australia.
YASHASVI JAISWAL TOP INDIA RUNSCORER
Cummins Ready To Make The Most Of Home Conditions
It is no secret that Pat Cummins is a danger in his own territory and he can capitalise on home conditions in this Test series with India.
Cummins has collected 269 wickets in 62 Test matches for Australia and he took a total of five wickets in his most recent Test appearance against New Zealand in Christchurch in March.
The paceman also took seven wickets across three matches against India in 2023, although none of those matches took place in Australia, where Cummins is at his best.
The composed Aussie skipper can come out on top in their bowling department.
PAT CUMMINS TOP AUSTRALIA WICKET-TAKER
