India is the real challenge Australia face: Border Gavaskar trophy 2014-15

India is the real challenge Australia face: Border Gavaskar trophy 2014-15: The Indian Cricket team is in Australia to play a 5 test match series with the hosts ahead of the world cup 2015. Border-Gavaskar trophy the title is at stake, it has been switching places for the last couple of times since Australia drubbed India 4-0 down under and India returned favors while hosting the other leg back home.

Though the Ashes remain to be seen as the fiercest test rivalry existing between England and Australia, the Border Gavaskar trophy 2014-15 offers nothing less. And yes India has been the toughest opponent for the Aussies even during the years they dominated International cricketing arena. The Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting led Australia which thrashed opposition’s series after series found India too stubborn at times.

This also goes to the credit of players who featured for India then, the fab four of Indian middle order Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were tough to iron out on any sort of wicket in toughest of conditions and in front of best of the bowling attacks. Also the bowlers India had in Anil Kumble the third highest wicket taker in test cricket history along with Harbhajan Singh formed a formidable pair. The pacers led by Jawagal Sreenath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar did well too.

The effect these guys had clearly shows when we have a look at the way India has fared in tests against Australia at both home and away for the last 10 years. India and Australia played 24 tests between 1999-2010 won 9 of them also lost equal number of games. Which is as significant as the other teams at least lost double the number of games they won to Australia. Even while playing Down Under for 11 matches the Indian team won 2 lost 6 and dew on 3 occasions.

This time around Indian skipper MS Dhoni will lead a young, inexperienced, yet talented and a hungry team. They have seen it all; they have tasted enough defeats on foreign soil to now look good enough to turn the tables. Though India now misses the Fab 4, there is a new pool of batsmen who are willing to seal their spots and concerns for the team. The team will this time be held by the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Chetshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, they are of course the future of Indian cricket and know how important this series is not only for their careers but for Indian cricket.

The change, difference which is evident now is the confidence, even without tons of runs or matches under their belts this team sports confidence in their abilities. The bowling unit, which looks remarkable and the paciest India have ever had. Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohd Shami, Varun Aaron and Bhuvneshwar Kumar can for sure make Aussie batsmen feel the heat as much as their batsmen would when the ball is doing a bit.

No doubt it is easier said than done, but Australia who is in a state of dis balance due to the sudden loss of Phil Hughes will not come down easy at them. Mitchel Johnson & Co. knows only one form of bowling which is aggressive, testing fast bowling and they will do that. If the Indian batsmen sustain it and their bowlers deliver to the buzz and expectations they have created. India will yet again prove to be the toughest opponents that Australia have and can have.

The Border Gavaskar Trophy Results table:

*All stats updated till 8th December 2014.