'It is a bit like Ashes' - Tim Paine on India-Australia Test series

India is scheduled to play Test series in Australia at the end of this year. It is going to be an important series from the perspective of both the heavyweights. With the intensity which both the sides play and the competitiveness in the series, Tim Paine, Australia’s Test skipper, has termed the contest a bit like the Ashes.

Virat Kohli and Co. won all their Test series after the ICC Test Championship came into existence before they suffered a recent whitewash against New Zealand. Moreover, they are leading the points table with 360 points. On the other hand, Australia is just behind India in the second position with 296 points.

Coming onto the rivalry between these two teams, the Men in Blue defeated Australia in their own backyard by 2-1 on their previous tour. It was the first occasion that Team India managed to grab a Test series win down under. However, since then Kangaroos have been wriggling to avenge the loss of their previous defeat in the Tests. And, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top later this year.

Tim Paine is excited for the Test series against India

In a recent interview, Tim Paine said that there is no point remembering the previous series defeat. Now, Australia is a totally different side and it is stronger than before. And the same goes for Team India, who will also come with some new change. The Aussie skipper added that the spectators will get to watch some enthralling contest due to the quality of players in action from both the team. Paine recited that from rivalry point of view, it is the Ashes like series.

“It’s not so much about looking back and trying to get them back for what happened last time. This is a different team, no doubt their team will be slightly different as well. But it’s two high-quality teams, a really anticipated series, purely because of the quality of cricket, not for what’s happened before. India and Australia as a rivalry, it’s a series a bit like the Ashes that we all look forward to,” Paine said during a video press conference as quoted by Cricbuzz.