Players To Watch Out In Australia-India Test Series

The much-awaited series of the year between Australia and India is set to begin from December 6 in Adelaide. The series promises to be a cracker as India is much stronger than they were before while Australia may not have the strongest side in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner but in their own conditions, they have been ruthless against any side in the world.

On the other hand, India will be hoping to win their first ever Test series down under. Looking at both sides, India clearly has an upper hand and will start the series with favourites tag. On the other hand, Australia probably is the weakest team who has failed to make their mark since the ban imposed on Smith and Warner after found their involvement in ball-tampering scandal earlier this year in South Africa.



However, despite been two different sides, both teams have players who can be trump-card for their sides. Here, we have chosen 6 players (3 from each side) who can change the game for their side.

INDIA

1. KL Rahul - This could be the deciding series for KL Rahul who hasn't been consistent since the home season in 2016-17. Despite few knocks, he has failed to provide a solid start in Tests. However, on his previous Australia's tour scored a century in first innings of Sydney Test and smashed 110. In India's recent tour of England, he went on to score a sizzling hundred in the last test after been failed in first four matches. Captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri have shown full faith in Rahul despite lack of consistency in his form.



2. Rishabh Pant - Rishabh Pant is one of the most exciting talents who is known for his hard-hitting ability. The left-hand wicketkeeper-batsman is still new in international cricket but has shown enough potential at this level. After pilling mountains of runs, he debuted against England and performed well including a brilliant century in the last Test. In 8 innings of 5 matches so far, Pant has scored 346 runs with a century and 2 half-centuries. He is one of the players who can change the game on his own terms and will be key for India to provide solidity in the middle order.

3. Kuldeep Yadav - Much like Pant, Kuldeep Yadav is also new in Test cricket. However, he has performed exceptionally well in limited overs format. He has the ability to deceive batsmen on googly which could be the turning point against Australian players as they are not good against spinners and always found difficult to tackle them.

AUSTRALIA



1. Aaron Finch - After the ban imposed on Warner along with Smith, Australia has struggled to find the right combination up the batting order. Aaron Finch, after established himself in limited overs format, could solve Australia's opening problems. He debuted against Pakistan in recently concluded series in Abu Dhabi and has batted brilliantly against the turning balls. He one of only a few Australians who is equally good against spinners as well as the pacers.

2. Usman Khawaja - Usman Khawaja is the most experienced batsman in the current Australian batting line-up. He is the one along with Finch who has done exceptionally well against the spinners as well as pacers. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that Khawaja will be the key for Australia to do well in the 4-match Test series. His record in Test suggests that he has done well for Australia in last few years and scored 2455 runs in 35 matches with an average of 43.84.

3. Nathan Lyon - Nathan Lyon is arguably the greatest spinner after the great Shane Warne that Australia has ever produced. He has been consistent since his debut in 2011. His record against India also suggests that he has troubled Indian batsmen with his line and length which is his great strength. Against India, Lyon has claimed 64 wickets in 14 matches. He will be the biggest trump-card for Tim Paine led Australia side.

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