INDORE: The pink ball swings more than the red one but how it would behave after getting old, especially when dew will be a factor, is keeping India skipper Virat Kohli intrigued ahead of team's historic day-night Test against Bangladesh.

The pink ball Test is still a few days away but Kohli, on the eve of the series-opener, was busy answering questions related to the second Test starting November 22.

"I think it's a new way to bring excitement to Test cricket. The pink ball I played yesterday, I felt it swings a lot more as compared to the red ball because there's extra lacquer (quote of paint) on the ball which doesn't go away too fast. And the seam holds upright quite a bit," the skipper's initial observation seemed in sync with what his deputy Ajinkya Rahane had assessed.

Kohli said they are yet to figure out how the old ball will behave during November evenings in Kolkata.

"If the pitch has extra help for the bowlers, then they will be in the game, especially fast bowlers throughout the course of the Test match. I don't know how the old ball behaves because with the dew and the lacquer going off, it will be interesting to see how much the old ball does," the skipper said.




However he made it clear that for a pink ball to be effective, it is important to have lively tracks.

"With the pink ball having enough life in the pitch will be very important factor."

The Indian team did not practice with the pink ball under lights but did take a few throw-downs on Tuesday to adjust to the colour of the new ball.

"I hadn't played with the pink ball before. I was given an opportunity to try and I wanted to. So that was my mind-set behind playing with the pink ball. You require extra concentration to pick the pink ball suddenly when you're playing with the red ball.

"It was to work on the reflexes a little bit as well. Because when you play with the red ball in the net and you arrive at the pink ball, it gets very difficult to pick, which can be the case in the game as well. To get into that zone was the reason behind it," he explained.




The skipper also maintained that while the hype about the day-night Test is understandable, the focus of his team is firmly on the first game. A testimony to that was no 'pink ball' training on the eve of the match.

"In Test cricket, I don't think you can afford to take focus away. Not even one session, not even one over. With the red ball you need to be absolutely precise in your focus, every game that you play, every ball that you play, every situation that you are in. Our prime focus is tomorrow's Test match.

"We are looking forward to that first and then we will focus on the pink ball later," he made it clear.




When the question of having permanent Test venues popped up once again, Kohli said he prefers having a structure for traditional format.

You don't want centres like Indore to host Test matches, a scribe asked pointedly.

"I said that because if you look at the ratio, a stadium like Indore attracted a decent crowd but a lot of others didn't. And it can't be that one stadium gets games and the others don't.

"Indore is the kind of place where if you play a T20, you won't find a single empty seat. And in one-dayers it won't be empty at all. It's not about taking away matches from them. Just a vision about how we can get together and raise Test cricket," he said.

On the opposition, Kohli termed Mustafizur Rahman as the man to watch out for.

"He is a very good bowler so he's going be a threat, a key player for Bangladesh. He's an experienced bowler. He knows the Indian batsmen as well, having played the IPL. So, it's a challenge but we must look forward to those challenges," Kohli said.

INDORE: The last time Ajinkya Rahane played an ODI for India was in February, 2018 in South Africa. Since then, India's Test deputy has not been able to find a place in the Indian XI in limited-overs cricket.

However, Rahane, who is an integral part of the Test team, believes he can make it to the Indian ODI team if he keeps on piling runs in red-ball cricket.

"I just need to play well in the Test matches, keep scoring runs and I am confident that I will be back in the ODI side," Rahane told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh beginning on Thursday.

"It is all about self-belief and being confident. Staying in the present will help me, if I contribute to the side's cause in Tests, I am sure I will be back in the ODI squad," he added.

The 31-year-old has represented India in 90 ODIs in which he has amassed 2,962 runs at 35.26. During the 87 ODI innings he got a chance to bat, Rahane scored three centuries and 24 half-centuries.

Team India, currently ranked No. 1 in Tests, would be brimming with confidence following their historic 3-0 victory over South Africa and would enter the two-Test series against Bangla Tigers as overwhelming favourites.




However, Rahane insists the hosts will not take Bangladesh lightly and focus on working on their own strengths.

"Bangladesh is a very good team. They play as a unit. We focus on our strengths rather than thinking about opposition. With the Test championship, every match is important," said Rahane.

"We are focussing on the Indore Test right now. I thought we played really well against South Africa, but as a side, we must stay in the present and we do not take any opponent lightly," he added.

The two teams will also feature in their first Day/Night Test at the Eden Gardens slated to begin from November 22.

The team management has already made a request to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) to organise for training under lights for Virat Kohli and boys as they prepare for their maiden pink-ball affair.

Speaking to BCCI.tv, Rahane had already spoken about the need to train well to adapt to the challenges that come with playing with the pink ball.

"I am very excited personally. It is a new challenge. I don't know how it will turn out but we will get an idea when we have a couple of practice sessions. Only then we will get an idea of how much the pink ball swings and how it works session wise," he pointed.

"Fans perspective wise also it will be interesting. I think as a batsman lateral movement will be there and it will be best if you play late, that is my personal idea. Adapting shouldn't be a problem," he added.

JAIPUR: Twenty balls, seven runs, six wickets. A day after Deepak Chahar's incredible feat of registering the best-ever bowling figures in T20 Internationals, the cricketing world woke up to the immense potential of the 27-year-old 'Powerplay' bowler, who on Sunday redefined his utility by spearheading an inexperienced India attack to a series win.

Chahar's exploits in the third T20 International against Bangladesh, however, may not have come to pass if 11 years ago his father, Lokendra Singh Chahar, had heeded the advice of Greg Chappell, a former coach of the same national team the seam bowler now proudly represents.


At a time when Chahar was still finding his way in age-group cricket, he was asked to look for a different occupation by Chappell, the then-director of the Rajasthan Cricket Academy. A pep talk by his father, who also happened to be his coach, flushed the sense of dejection out of the 18-year-old Deepak.

Cut to Sunday in Nagpur and it was a night to remember for the 27-year-old Chahar as he broke numerous records on his way to creating a sensation - Deepak also became the first Indian to claim a hat-trick in T20Is. Known primarily as a penetrative T20 new-ball 'swing' bowler because of his exploits with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, Chahar has also been required to bowl at the 'death' by captain Rohit Sharma because of the present composition of India's attack. The right-arm seamer, who represents Rajasthan in domestic cricket, pulled off the challenge with aplomb to win the man-of-the-series award.


The confidence and maturity Chahar is now showing is a direct result of the immense effort the bowler from Agra has put in over the years, first under his father and then former India captain MS Dhoni, his captain at CSK. The 27-year-old announced his presence in first-class cricket in loud fashion, taking eight wickets for 10 runs on Ranji Trophy debut as Hyderabad were all out for 21 at the SMS Stadium in 2010. A spate of untimely illnesses, however, delayed Chahar's progress. "Once it was jaundice, then a thumb injury. These issues cropped up when the domestic season was about to begin," his father Lokendra told TOI from Agra.

Chahar picked up a cricket ball for the first time at age seven. By 12, was eyeing a career as a cricketer. His father, an assistant air traffic controller with the Indian Air Force, was posted at Suratgarh border in Rajasthan when Deepak started playing age-group cricket while studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya.


After retiring from his job in 2006, Lokendra settled down in Agra and started a cricket academy at the GD Goenka School. Deepak played for Hanumangarh DCA, under the Rajasthan Cricket Association, where he also trained under Navendu Tyagi, who was then secretary of the club.

Lokendra made optimum use of the extra time after his retirement to help Deepak hone his skills. "Today, he has every delivery in his repertoire and he can bowl in any situation. Be it a bouncer, a slow bouncer, yorker, in-swingers, out-swingers, leg cutter, knuckle bowl... you ask and it's there. He has also developed the ability to read the mindset of batsmen. The presence of mind required to bowl at the death and in high-pressure situations has come from playing for CSK," Lokendra said. "Chappell lacked the eye to spot talent so he dismissed Deepak, but Dhoni had that ability and hence my child is flourishing."

MELBOURNE: No one is more committed to Indian cricket than Mahendra Singh Dhoni and batting at number five is the ideal spot for him, said Virat Kohli in stout defence of the former captain.

Dhoni faced criticism for slow batting in the ODI series-opener in Sydney before redeeming his pride and reputation with match-winning contributions in the Adelaide and Melbourne ODIs.

READ ALSO: I'm ready to bat at any position, says MS Dhoni

Acknowledging Dhoni's contribution in the historic series-triumph in Australia, Kohli defended the former captain saying he should be allowed breathing space.

READ ALSO: Dhoni powers India to first-ever bilateral ODI series win in Australia

"I think firstly as a team we are very happy for Dhoni that he is amongst the runs, because it is very important to get runs under your belt to get that rhythm and confidence back. Especially when you have not been playing so much international cricket," said the India captain at the post-match press conference.

"Many things happen outside. People say a lot of things but as an individual we know that there is no one more committed to Indian cricket than Dhoni and people should let him have his space because he has contributed so much for the nation.

"They should let him figure out things on his own and what he needs to do. He is one of the most intelligent cricketers and he is not someone who is not aware about what needs to be done. As a team we are totally in sync with what he is doing and we are all very happy for him," said Kohli.

The skipper also reckons that the just-concluded Australia series has proved that number five is the most logical spot for Dhoni.

"Dhoni batted at number four in 2016 for a while. But after that he has been pretty happy playing at five and six for the team. We felt that number five was the ideal position for him. And if you saw him bat at Adelaide as well he was pretty comfortable in that position because that allows him to do a bit of both - get some game time as well as finish games off, attacking as and when required," Kohli said.

Dhoni played a crucial role in India winning the decisive third ODI with his unbeaten 87-run knock on Friday and at Adelaide too his unbeaten half-century had scripted India's win.

"He was more himself from that game (Adelaide) on, and he built onto this knock today. We are pretty happy with the batting combination that we had in Adelaide. When someone like Hardik Pandya is not there you have to balance somehow. So a lot of things vary in that regard. But we as a team, and myself as captain, we feel that Dhoni at five is the most logical. It is the ideal place for him and the team as well," Kohli said.

ADELAIDE: Virat Kohli has no peers in ODIs but he has a priceless message for youngsters - sole focus on limited overs formats shouldn't be an 'excuse' for not being able to cope with the challenges of Test cricket.

World's No. 1 batsman with 25 Test hundreds warned that youngsters will have mental problems if they don't embrace the pristine form of five-day cricket.

"If we focus too much on shorter formats - yes, they're important - but if we solely focus and look at them as an escape or an excuse to not be in the kind of situations that Test cricket presents to you, then I think there will start being a mental problem with the cricketers coming up," Kohli was quoted as saying by Star Sports.

The Indian skipper, who has played a few defining knocks against world class bowlers like James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mitchell Starc during the past year spoke about the hard work that goes into making of a quality Test player.

"As long as you're willing to wake up every morning for five days and do the hard yards and go do the dirty work - if you're willing to bat for two hours and not score a run for the team - I think that is what people should prepare (youngsters) (for)."

Kohli said the current batch of Indian Test cricketers are trying to set an example for the younger generation.

"That (vision) will require the team to lay out a certain things that needs to be done and for the next lot to keep following. So (when) the next lot that comes in, they have to maintain that vision and then the people coming in will follow."

Virat Kohli has reaffirmed his commitment towards Test cricket, saying he wants India to become a superpower in the game's longest format.

Number-one ranked India recently won their maiden Test series in Australia under Kohli's leadership.

"I wouldn't say goal but I would rather speak of a vision, which is for India to be a superpower in Test cricket or a very, very strong side in Test cricket in the years to come,"

"I think if Indian cricket respects Test cricket, and Indian players respect Test cricket, then Test cricket will stay at the top because of the fan base that we have all over the world."

Kohli was made India captain for the first time in the middle of the 2014-15 Test series in Australia with MS Dhoni announcing a shock retirement.

He credited coach Ravi Shastri for making his job easier.

"Ever since 2014, I think he's (Shastri) one person who's given me honest feedback whenever things required to be altered.

"I remember we sat down (last year). I'd scored a Test century and a fifty in the same game in England, so he called me and he said, as far as batting is concerned, I'm not going to discuss anything with you now because you've done something which I am proud of and everyone is proud of.

"But as a captain, I need to start thinking how to get the best out of this team and how to tactically be spot on. And that really hit me because I felt like, you know, there's so much more to captaincy than you sometimes think."

Before departing for the Australia tour, Kohli had dismissed the perception that Shastri was "yes-man" to him. He explained again what Shastri brings to the table.

"He is one person, because he's done so much commentary, and he's seen the game so much and has played so much himself - just watching the game - he knows where the game is heading.

"So just getting feedback from him constantly has been the biggest help for me, in terms of moulding my own personality into captaincy. He's someone who has never tried to change me just to be able to fit into the captaincy mode," Kohli added.

NEW DELHI/SYDNEY: Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul will be sent home on the first available flight from Australia as the BCCI suspended them on Friday for their outrage-evoking comments on women, hours after the duo's on-field leader Virat Kohli expressed his disapproval.

The under-fire players have been suspended pending an inquiry into their sexist comments on a TV show, ruling them out of the three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning Saturday in Sydney.

READ ALSO: Pandya, Rahul in danger of missing New Zealand series

"Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry," the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai told PTI.

A few hours later it was confirmed that a decision has been taken to send them home from Australia.

"It's confirmed. The duo are being sent back. If they can book tickets then tomorrow they will be leaving (for India) or latest by day after," a senior BCCI official said.

He added that at this point their chances of making the squad for the New Zealand tour is also "bleak".

The suspension letter, as per clause 41 (6) of BCCI, states: "CoA suspends Pandya, Rahul from participating in 'any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter'."

"The duo is now called upon to provide an explanation as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution within a period of seven days. This is without prejudice to the BCCI’s rights and contentions, all of which are hereby expressly reserved," stated a BCCI release.

The all-India senior selection committee will soon name their replacements for the ODI series against Australia and the tour to New Zealand.

The 'Koffee with Karan' episode featuring the cricketers has since been taken down by the channel's online platform.

On the show, Pandya had boasted about hooking up with multiple women and being open about it with his parents. Rahul was, however, a shade more restrained in his responses on relationships and women.

A source in the BCCI said the two will be issued fresh show cause notices before a formal enquiry begins.

"Whether it will be an internal committee of the BCCI or an ad hoc ombudsman who will conduct an inquiry, is yet to be ascertained," the official said.

Pandya has regretted his comments twice since the show went on air on Sunday -- first on his official Twitter page and then in response to the BCCI show cause notice on Wednesday.

Rahul, on the other hand, is yet to react to the controversy.

The decision to hand them suspensions came after Rai's CoA colleague Diana Edulji recommended the same till further action against the two. This was after the BCCI's legal team refused to declare the comments a violation of the code of conduct.

The copy of the legal opinion, in possession of PTI, states: "We feel that present matter doesn't fall under the ambit of Code of Conduct and procedure of Code of Conduct can't be invoked in present circumstances."

Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but referred the matter to the legal cell after Rai agreed with her and recommended the same.

"It is imperative that players be put under suspension till further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO ( Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter," read Edulji's response to the legal opinion.

In Sydney, on the eve of the ODI series, captain Kohli condemned the two for what he termed "inappropriate" comments but said he was not too stressed about the possibility of a ban on the all-rounder.

"...it's good that we have someone like (Ravindra) Jadeja who can do the all-rounder's role if a scenario like that occurs," Kohli said.

Days after their historic maiden Test series triumph, Kohli asserted that the side does not stand by the "individual opinions", which have triggered a social media storm.

The likes of Rishabh Pant and Manish Pandey will now be in contention to be their replacements. While Pandya was a certainty in the playing XI, an out-of-form Rahul was not in contention to play on Saturday.

It is speculated that the BCCI might bar players from appearing on entertainment shows owing to the ongoing furore.

SYDNEY: Captain Virat Kohli on Friday said the Indian team doesn't stand by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for making "inappropriate" comments on women during a TV show but insisted that the controversy won't affect the dressing room morale.

Kohli said that the availability of both Pandya and Rahul for the ODI series against Australia would depend on any action that the BCCI might take on Friday.

"From the Indian cricket team point of view, any inappropriate comments that are made in that scenario are something that we definitely don't support. We definitely as the Indian cricket team do not support views like that and that has been communicated (to the two players)," said Kohli on the eve of the ODI series opener.

"I can definitely say that as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers we definitely don't align with those views and those are purely individual views. The two concerned players (have) felt what has gone wrong and they have understood the magnitude of what's happened.

"Definitely it has to hit anyone hard, they will definitely understand the things that have not gone right. We are still waiting for a decision to be made," he said.

When asked if this had an impact on the dressing room after a first-ever Test series' win in Australia, and if it causes a distraction as the Men in Blue start their preparation towards the 2019 World Cup, Kohli said, "Whatever has happened is unfortunate but there are certain things that are out of your control.

"You just need to sit back and wait and watch them unfold. From the combination and team balance point of view, yes when something like that happens you will have to think of what is the combination you need to go in with now."

The Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai on Thursday recommended a two-ODI ban on Pandya and Rahul but fellow COA member Diana Edulji referred the matter to the BCCI's legal cell.

Kohli said the team remains in high spirits following the unprecedented success in the recently concluded Test series.

"You don't have control over these things so you have to adjust with the situation and address it the way it comes to you and the way it unfolds. That's how we're looking at it. The combinations will have to be thought about once the decision comes out (from the BCCI) and from there on, we will see what needs to be done about the whole situation. We all are waiting just like everyone to understand what the decision will be.

"But from the Indian cricket team point of view this changes nothing in terms of our beliefs in the change room. It does nothing to the spirit that we've been able to create within the change room and these are purely individual opinions and something which as I said is inappropriate," Kohli added.

SYDNEY: He was a part of India's victorious World Cup campaign in 2011 but Virat Kohli felt "more emotional" than ever before after his team's maiden Test series win in Australia, something the captain termed as the "biggest achievement" of his career.

READ ALSO: India win first-ever Test series in Australia

"By far this is my best achievement. Has to be on top of the pile," Kohli said after being the first Indian captain to lead the team to a Test series win in Australia in 71 years.

The skipper then explained that why the triumph Down Under will remain more special for him compared to World Cup triumph.

"I was a part of the 2011 World Cup team but I didn't have the emotion of not having been able to win a World Cup before, playing at home and winning it eventually. A lot of the senior players had that emotion. So, for them it was what "we have achieved". Yes, it was a great moment for me to be part of.

"But if you ask me which moment is more emotional, I would say this one because this is my third tour here and I have seen with experience and being in the field as to how difficult it is to win here. So from that point of view this one is more emotional to me," the skipper said.

He is well aware of the history but by his own admission, he never wanted to challenge it.

"History does matter. It's obviously a very proud moment, more so because for the last 12 months, we understand what we have gone through as a team. Although changing history or creating history is still not what I am thinking of, it is pure satisfaction of the hard work of 12 months," added Kohli.

For someone, who has time and again emphasized on team effort, Kohli said that Hanuma Vihari's dogged resistance against the new ball in an unfamiliar opening position was as critical as a century or big knock.

"If you ask me to single out a contribution, for me Hanuma Vihari playing 70 balls with the new ball in MCG is as big as anyone getting a hundred or anyone scoring 70-80. That's how we recognise contributions, and we don't look at contribution as something that goes up on the honours' board," the eloquent skipper said.

What makes the victory even more special is the fact that the team desperately wanted to win a series overseas rather than winning an odd Test match.

"Definitely will be more special, purely because of the fact that we really wanted to win a series away from home. We didn't want to be a one-match wonder kind of thing.

"So, having stuck to our task and executed what we wanted and gotten the result, we, as a team, feel absolutely complete now that we have done what we set out to do, not to show to anyone else but to prove ourselves that yes, we could do it and we have done it. From that point of view this one is more special for me," said Kohli.

Self-belief has been the key for this particular team but not in an arrogant manner, asserted the skipper.

"I don't say it in an arrogant way but I am saying the truth when I say that we have so much belief in ourselves that we can beat anyone anywhere."

He once again praised the fast bowlers for their stupendous effort.

"Well, the numbers are there on the board for everyone to see. Having broken a record of the West Indian fast bowlers, speaks volumes (sic). Who could have thought a bunch of Indian fast bowlers would go on and break that record, in a single season. I have one word to say and that is, I am proud.

"I feel great standing in the slip cordon watching these guys. I didn't have to tell Jasprit Bumrah yesterday to bowl at 149 clicks with the old ball to a no. 11 batsman. It was his decision. You can see that hunger, and you can see that passion. We would put everything on the line to win for the team," the proud skipper said.

The twin defeats in South Africa and England was more about "rectifying the mistakes"

"We just worked on rectifying the mistakes. So we laid out a lot of those things on the table and no one took offence to anything. Everyone accepted it that we have made a lot of mistakes in certain areas, and come game time and game situation we were better than the opposition in those areas.

"That's the progress of a team, it is pretty basic but the one thing that we always stuck to what was good intent and doing things for the right reasons. We always did things to help the team and that's why we have been rewarded with the series win like this," Kohli summed it up aptly.

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and his men made history as India registered their maiden Test series victory on Australian soil after the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground was drawn due to rain on Day 5 on Monday.

SCORECARD

Cheteshwar Pujara was declared the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series.

Rain prevented any play on Day 5 with Australia needing to bat out the last day to salvage a draw.

India won the series 2-1 with victories in the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and in the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.

No Indian team had managed to win a Test series since they began touring Australia in 1947-48.

The hosts were 6/0 at stumps on a weather-affected Day 4 after being forced to follow-on by India.

Australia were dismissed in their first innings for 300 in reply to India's 622/7.

India had taken a stranglehold after making Australia to follow-on at home for the first time in 30 years on Day 4.

Play started almost four hours late due to rain, with the home team resuming on 236/6 after lunch.

But needing a win to level the four-match series, Australia crumbled to 300 all out, compounding the misery after some soft dismissals by the top order.

Kohli sent them straight back into bat -- the first time Australia have been asked to follow on at home since Mike Gatting's England did the same in 1988, also in Sydney.

Marcus Harris, not out two, and Usman Khawaja, unbeaten on four, survived four overs before tea was taken early for bad light. They didn't come back with play abandoned for the day.

India's spinners had picked up five of the six wickets on Day 3, but under overcast skies when play finally began on Day 4 Kohli took the new ball straight away and threw it to his pacers.

It immediately paid dividends with Pat Cummins, who scored a gutsy 63 in the Melbourne Test, lasting just three balls, clean bowled by Mohammed Shami without adding to his overnight 25.

The recalled Handscomb began with purpose, confidently stroking two boundaries to move to 37 before swiping at a Jasprit Bumrah delivery and dragging it onto his stumps.

That brought Nathan Lyon to the crease but he only lasted five balls, out lbw to a full toss from Kuldeep Yadav.

Hanuma Vihari dropped a sitter when Josh Hazlewood was on nought, and it proved costly with the tailender putting on 42 with Mitchell Starc for the last wicket before he fell to Yadav, who was the pick of the bowlers with 5-99 -- his second career five-wicket haul.

SYDNEY: Australia were forced to follow-on on home soil for the first time in 30 years after being dismissed for 300 as India went for the jugular in search of a maiden series triumph Down Under on the fourth day of the final Test on Sunday.

SCORECARD | BLOG

Openers Usman Khawaja (4) and Marcus Harris (2) safely negotiated four overs until bad light and light drizzle forced an early end to an already heavily rain-disrupted day just before the re-scheduled tea break.

Australia will resume on six without loss on Monday, still without a century in the series and 316 runs adrift of India's mammoth first innings effort of 622-7 declared.

The tourists, leading 2-1 in the four-Test series, only need a draw to secure a breakthrough triumph in Australia but skipper Virat Kohli did not hesitate to send the hosts back in when they fell well short of the 423 runs needed to avoid the follow-on.

Play at the Sydney Cricket Ground had finally got underway after a rain delay of almost four hours and India needed just 80 minutes to take the last four wickets at a cost of 64 runs.

Mohammed Shami immediately took the second new ball and removed Pat Cummins's off stump with the sixth delivery of the day to dismiss his fellow paceman for 25.

Peter Handscomb, recalled for his ability to play spin, followed for 37 after adding nine runs to his overnight tally, dragging the ball onto his stumps to give quick Jasprit Bumrah his first wicket of the match.

Nathan Lyon faced just five balls before he was adjudged lbw to fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav for a duck, a decision Australia decided against reviewing despite a question mark over whether the ball would have hit the stumps.

Josh Hazlewood was dropped by Hanuma Vihari off Kuldeep's bowling when he had yet to score and he and fellow tailender Mitchell Starc (29 not out) fought a dogged rearguard to put on 42 for the final wicket.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5-99) finally got his man to secure a second five-wicket haul in his sixth Test, though, trapping Hazlewood leg before wicket for 21, in a decision confirmed after a review.

England were the last team to force Australia to follow-on at home in the drawn 1988 Sydney Test, a result the hosts are unlikely to repeat unless the weather intervenes decisively.

LIVE SCORECARD | BLOG

5:15 am If no further rain, play on day four will begin at 0530 IST





5:05 am Rain has stopped, ground staff peeling off the covers.



4:45 am Bit of rain now in Sydney as the SCG ground staff brings the covers on.

4:30 am Bad light delays start.



4:25 am Hello and welcome to day four of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia at Sydney.

With a bit of rain forecast on the Sunday, following a shortened third day due to bad light and rain, India would want to make the most of the active sessions the Test would see on its last two days. Play was scheduled to start half an hour early today due to early stumps on day three, but the light is not good enough to get on the park.

The visitors took control of the match on Saturday after spin twins Kuldeep Yadav (3/71) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/62) reduced the hosts to 236/6, still 386 behind India's 622/7 declared.

The not-out batsmen on the crease -- Peter Handscomb and Pat Cummins -- will thus have a task at hand once the day's play gets underway.

Day 4 Round-up

Australia's batting woes returned on the third day of the fourth Test on Saturday and they had slumped to 236/6 when bad light and rain brought an early end to their response to India's mammoth first-innings tally of 622/7 declared.

The tourists only need a draw to claim a first series win in Australia and the home side's hopes of preventing even that faded as they blew a solid start to lose five wickets after lunch.

Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head were all dismissed after lunch and captain Tim Paine followed soon after the tea break.

Peter Handscomb, unbeaten on 28, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, who had made 25, were at the crease when the rain clouds gathered over a Sydney Cricket Ground swathed in pink for the McGrath Foundation breast cancer support charity day.

Most of the Australian batsmen made starts but only opener Harris was able to get past the half century mark -- his 79 the highest score by the home side in a series during which India have pillaged five centuries.

SYDNEY: Australia's batting woes returned on the third day of the fourth Test on Saturday and they had slumped to 236 for six when bad light and rain brought an early end to their response to India's mammoth first-innings tally of 622-7 declared.

SCORECARD | BLOG

The tourists only need a draw to claim a first series win in Australia and the home side's hopes of preventing even that faded as they blew a solid start to lose five wickets after lunch.

Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head were all dismissed after lunch and captain Tim Paine followed soon after the tea break.

Peter Handscomb, unbeaten on 28, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, who had made 25, were at the crease when the rainclouds gathered over a Sydney Cricket Ground swathed in pink for the McGrath Foundation breast cancer support charity day.

Most of the Australian batsmen made starts but only opener Harris was able to get past the half century mark -- his 79 the highest score by the home side in a series during which India have pillaged five centuries.

The left-hander showed plenty of intent but just when it seemed he could be heading for a maiden Test ton he calamitously played the ball onto his own stumps off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.

India's disciplined pace attack played a leading role in the victories in Adelaide and Melbourne that gave the tourists a 2-1 series lead coming to Sydney but it was the spinners who did most of the damage on Saturday.

Jadeja (2-62) also accounted for Marsh, who must surely have exhausted his supply of Test recalls after departing for eight having left his bat hanging to gift Ajinkya Rahane the simplest of catches at first slip.

Rahane had to work considerably harder for the catch at short midwicket that dismissed Labuschagne (38), diving low to his left to grab the ball with both hands off the bowling of quick Mohammed Shami.

Kuldeep Yadav (3-71) made Travis Head his second victim of the day shortly before tea, the batsman charging down the track to take on the left-arm wrist spinner only to send the ball straight back to him for the catch.

Paine gave the 24-year-old his third wicket, a peach of a delivery that clean bowled the Australia captain through his gaping gate for five.

The surface that India's batsmen had plundered almost at will for two days was still offering little movement for the bowlers and the Australians will be cursing themselves for some soft dismissals after the solid start to the day.

The openers had put on 72 when Usman Khawaja, moved up from number three to replace the dropped Aaron Finch, miscued a slog off Kuldeep to depart for 27 in the opening session.

SYDNEY: It was a pretty good year for Team India as they bid adieu to 2018 in style, having won the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the MCG by 137 runs on Sunday. Even as Virat Kohli and his teammates joined the rest of the world in ushering in the New Year, it is unlikely that there would have been any dilution of their new-found resolve of winning matches overseas.

In a way, the Sydney Test that gets under way on Thursday represents the 'last frontier' in Team India's quest for an elusive series win Down Under. Kohli's men, up 2-1 in the four-Test series, are just half a step away from creating history. Kohli and Co. will look to make a positive start to the year by winning the final Test before turning their focus on preparations for the 50-over World Cup in June. A victory in Sydney will not only allow the Indian players to go into the ensuing ODI series with renewed confidence but also put them in the right frame for the World Cup.


Ticking the right boxes before a big tournament is extremely important. The Indian team management, which bungled with selection issues in South Africa as well as England in 2018, must look to instill confidence in the group of players who are in the running to make the cut for the World Cup.

Coming close on the heels of the debacle in England, the Australian sojourn represented a grand opportunity for Team India for a shot at redemption. Even though they slipped up on a bouncy Perth pitch after going 1-0 up in Adelaide, India proved in no certain terms in Melbourne that they have been by far the better of the two sides so far.


The Australians have thrown everything they had at their command to unsettle India, including a fair amount of sledging. But the overall performance of the home team - particularly with the bat - has been so ordinary that India have had no problems in rolling them over.

Much of the credit for this must go to Kohli, for the manner in which he has led the team and also conducted himself on the field. For someone who wears his emotions on his sleeves, Kohli is prone to histrionics and often gets carried away in the heat of the battle. Kohli, however, has been very restrained on the field here. He may have looked his animated self on the field but has been very careful about not 'crossing the line' while initiating verbal duels with his opposite number or members of the rival team.

And with the bat, he has been both classy and single-minded. It is not without reason Kohli ends the year as the world's No. 1 batsman - a position he has held by dint of his strong show with the willow. After all, no other batsman made more runs than Kohli in 2018.

His aggregate for the year stands at 1,322 runs from 13 Tests at an average of 55.08. It included five centuries and as many fifties. Kohli, in fact, has been so good that Graeme Hick - Australia's batting coach - has urged his faltering troops to learn from the Indian captain.

Kohli, of course, has been lucky to have a very accomplished bowling unit which is well-stocked in pace as well as spin-bowling resources. The pacers - Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - have combined to script India's triumphs away from home.

कुछ ही पल में साल 2018 विदा लेने वाला है और दुनिया 2019 के स्वागत की तैयारियां कर रही है। कई सिलेब्रिटीज नए साल का जश्न मनाने के लिए अलग-अलग डेस्टिनेशन पर रवाना हो गए हैं। आपको बता दें कि अनुष्का शर्मा अपने पति विराट कोहली के साथ न्यू ईयर मना रही हैं। दोनों नए साल का जश्न मनाने के लिए ऑस्ट्रेलिया पहुंचे हैं।

विराट कोहली ने ट्विटर पर अनुष्का शर्मा के साथ तस्वीरें शेयर की हैं। विराट ने ट्वीट करके इन तस्वीरों के साथ सभी को नए साल की शुभकामनाएं दी हैं। देखिए, विराट और अनुष्का की खूबसूरत तस्वीर:




बता दें कि बॉलिवुड के कई सिलेब्रिटीज नए साल का जश्न मनाने के लिए रवाना हो चुके हैं। प्रियंका चोपड़ा और निक जोनस स्विटजरलैंड में परिवार के साथ छुट्टियां ंमना रहे हैं। आलिया भट्ट और रणबीर कपूर इस जश्न के लिए न्यू यॉर्क पहुंच गए हैं। वहीं, दीपिका पादुकोण और रणवीर सिंह भी छुट्टियां मनाने के लिए रवाना हो चुके हैं।

MELBOURNE: Even inclement weather could not prevent the inevitable, though several spells of light rain delayed India's victory in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG on Sunday. But when play finally started after the umpires decided on an early lunch, Indian bowlers needed less than five overs to wrap up the Australian innings.

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon managed to add just three runs to their overnight tally of 258 for 8 before Jasprit Bumrah induced a nick from the former that Cheteshwar Pujara held low down at first slip. Lyon then tried to pull a short ball from Ishant Sharma and got a top edge for Rishabh Pant to accept and bring the curtain down on a fascinating Test that India won by 137 runs.


Bumrah, who finished with career-best match figures of 9 for 86, was adjudged Man of the Match.

The victory is significant for many reasons. First and foremost, it was India's 150th in Test matches, and third at the MCG. It handed India a 2-1 lead going into the Sydney Test which they only need to draw in order to register their maiden series win in Australia. The result also ensured that India would keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, irrespective of what happens in the final Test at the SCG.

India skipper Virat Kohli, though, made it clear that his team will go all out for victory in Sydney where the pitch traditionally helps the spinners.

India, who have thrice shared series honours in Australia - in 1980-81 (1-1), 1985-86 (0-0) and 2003-04 (1-1) - will be looking to press home the advantage they hold and make it a memorable new year in Sydney.

"We always knew that we could do this. Although we are very happy, we are not shocked or surprised about what has happened."


Kohli, who wears his emotions on his sleeves, jumped for joy at the fall of Australia's last wicket and embraced his teammates before acknowledging a sparse gathering of Indian supporters who had braved the weather and made it to the MCG despite the possibility of very little action.

Asked whether he had been a bit nervous about the inclement weather, Kohli said: "Not really. Some people in the (team) management group were having a look at that (forecast). We knew we had enough time."

The Indian skipper, who was flayed by many experts for not enforcing the follow-on on Day 3, explained the rationale behind it. "We didn't enforce the follow-on because when our bowlers bowled, it was really warm out there. We just wanted to give them enough break and a good night's sleep so that they could come out fresh and have another go at the (rival) batsmen," Kohli added.

NEW DELHI: Indian captain Virat Kohli, who is on the verge of becoming India's first ever captain to win a Test series against Australia in Australia, added another feather to his illustrious cap when he guided India to a magnificent 137-run win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Kohli has equalled Sourav Ganguly's record of most wins in overseas Tests as India captain.

Kohli has captained India in 24 overseas Tests so far and guided the team to victory on 11 occasions. Ganguly has same number of overseas wins as captain in 28 Tests.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is third in the tally. He has captained India in 30 Tests overseas and has 6 wins to his name.

With 5 wins in 17 Tests, Rahul Dravid is fourth most successful Indian skipper overseas.



Interestingly, another standout feature of Kohli's captaincy is the team's track record after winning the toss.

Kohli has won the toss in 21 Tests with India emerging victorious 18 times while 3 matches ended in draws.

In 9 away Tests Kohli won the toss, India went on to win eight and drew one.

MELBOURNE: Cheteshwar Pujara produced yet another classy hundred and stitched a 170-run stand with captain Virat Kohli (82) to put India in command against Australia on the second day of the third Test on Thursday.

HIGHLIGHTS I SCORECARD

Pujara hit his second century of the series, a dogged but faultless 106 off 319 balls, to ensure that India consolidated the good start of the first day Wednesday. It was though his slowest hundred in Test cricket yet.

Kohli, who contributed a significant 82 off 204 balls, made a surprising declaration and finished India's first innings at 443 for 7.

Rohit Sharma ended on 63 not out off 114 balls, inclusive of five fours, while Pat Cummins was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 3/72 in a back-breaking effort of 34 overs.

At stumps, Australia were placed at 8 for no loss from 6 overs with openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris were both unbeaten on 3 and 5 respectively. India lead by 435 runs.

Post tea, it was a comedy of fielding errors from Australia as they missed three easy chances, all of Nathan Lyon (1/110) in what proved to be a frustrating 48 overs from him.

First, in the 147th over, substitute fielder Peter Siddle put down Rohit (on 15 then) at backward square leg as the batsman played a wild sweep. A ball later, Ajinkya Rahane (34) was lucky when on 32 as Travis Head was caught napping at short leg when the ball sailed past him.

Rahane got unlucky shortly afterwards though as one delivery from Lyon kept too low and he was plumb lbw.

Rishabh Pant (39) played an uncharacteristic defensive innings, and the only aerial stroke he played was in the 159th over off Lyon when Cummins spilled the chance at long on. He was on 15 then.

Australia took the third new ball in the 167th over and it worked as Pant looped up a catch to Usman Khawaja behind the wickets off Mitchell Starc (2/87).

The accelerating burst before the declaration never came as skipper Kohli called the batsmen in when Ravindra Jadeja (4) was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood (1/86).

Rahane and Rohit took India to 346/4 at tea after Australia removed both Pujara and Kohli in the space of four overs.

Post lunch, Kohli-Pujara took their third-wicket partnership to 170 runs before the game turned.

The Indian skipper took medication for some back issue and then stepped through the gears as he brought out two pulls against Mitchell Starc (1/68) in the 123rd over. He pressed on the accelerator a tad too much, and cut straight to third man, much to the bowler's delight.

Four overs later, in the 126th, Pujara got a delivery from Cummins that kept a tad low and knocked back his stumps as India were suddenly reduced to 299-4.

Rahane then took charge of proceedings and played a breezy knock, not allowing the Australian attack to get on top.

In comparison, Rohit was more sedate and took his time at the crease, even as Tim Paine targeted him with some banter. There was not any major change in the pace of scoring though, with 36 runs coming in the first hour after lunch, and 33 runs in the second.

In the morning session, Pujara scored his 17th hundred as India reached 277/2 at lunch.

Starting from overnight 215/2, India looked ready for another hard day's grind, with Kohli reaching his 20th Test half-century, off 110 balls, in the very first over of the day.

The two batsmen scored quickly in the first hour and kept the scorecard ticking over, before Australia went back to their tactic of cutting runs.

Cummins bowled another wonderful spell, extracting most out of the pitch than any other Australian bowler, and he beat the edges of both batsmen on a couple occasions but without any luck.

Lyon bowled with a predominantly leg-side field and into the batsmen. His duel with Pujara was quite remarkable, as the batsman kept turning him to the onside again and again, whilst stepping out on occasion to play him through the offside.

Australia kept a tight leash on the scoring rate as 62 runs came in this morning session. Even so, they could not deny Pujara who reached his second hundred of this series off 280 balls just prior to lunch.

In doing so, he went past his previous best tally of runs scored in an overseas Test series. He had scored 309 runs in Sri Lanka in 2017, and currently has 325 runs in the current series.

On day one, Mayank Agarwal scored his maiden Test half-century after India won the toss and opted to bat.

The four-match series is pegged at 1-1, after India won the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and Australia took the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.

MELBOURNE: Former Australia captain Mark Taylor has lauded Virat Kohli's off-the-field conduct in one of their encounters but felt that the Indian captain's "confrontational" approach on the field was something "the game does not need".

Taylor, one of Australia's most successful captains who later became a commentator, cited one instance of Kohli's courteous behaviour when he wanted to interview him.

"Four years ago when (Channel) Nine still had the cricket, I was interviewing Virat Kohli when I learned a lot about his character. It was not anything he said but the manner in which he conducted himself," Taylor said.

"We were filming in a studio at Adelaide Oval the day before the Test when the national anthems blared out on the loudspeakers, as part of rehearsals for the following day, forcing us to take a break. When the anthems stopped after some 10 minutes, the India media manager told me my half-hour was up and gestured for Kohli to leave.

"Instead of trotting off, as he was entitled to do, Kohli turned to me and asked if I needed more time. I told him I still had a few questions I wanted to ask. 'Come on' he said. 'Let's sit back down, let's do it'. I thought that was terrific," Taylor wrote in a column in the Sydney Morning Herald.

But Taylor, who has played 107 Tests and scored 7525 runs with a best of 334 not out, added the Kohli on the field was a lot different.

"He is an outstanding batsmen but also hard-nosed and confrontational. I would not be surprised if most Australians mainly see him as the latter, which is unfortunate. While he generally captains the side well, the way he behaves at times does not do himself or his team any good.

"His goading of Tim Paine into a confrontation in Perth worried me. He was trying to elicit a reaction from Paine: 'Where are you at, mate? Are you prepared to take me on?' That's exactly what the game does not need. Cricket is a game about bat versus ball with a bit of theatre when required.

"By all means celebrate hard when your side claims a wicket, or you take a catch at slip, but running down the pitch at umpires and giving send-offs to batsmen is not on.

"That sort of behaviour leaked into the Australian cricket team over the years and is partly the reason we are here today. India, with Virat as their leader, can learn a lot from what has happened to Australia."

Taylor said Paine was winning the battle of skippers in the Test series so far.

"I wrote before the series Tim was the right man to lead Australia and he's showing why. The way he is handling Kohli is superb. He has found that line between not overreacting while also letting his opposing captain know he is not weak.

"It's clear Kohli wants to test Paine and he's met his match, which is saying something given he is one of the best players in the world and the Australian captain, with 17 Tests, is relatively inexperienced.

"So far Paine is winning the battle of the skippers. He's keeping very well, taking his catches and his stumpings, and making useful runs when his team needs them as he did in both innings in Perth.

"Above all, he is proving himself to be a strong leader who can stand his ground when tested by a fiery opponent while also respecting the game."

He also disapproved of the way the way the contents of the stump microphone were made public.

"The stump microphones drew a lot of attention away from the play. It might sound strange for someone who has made a living in the commentary box for almost 20 years but I don't like them at all. There are things that happen on the field that should not become public knowledge. There is a mystique in not knowing.

"I heard an over from Rishabh Pant behind the stumps and could not stand it. It was inane chatter. Players will become aware of it and start saying things for the sake of getting on television.

"Perhaps I am an outlier, but I prefer to watch the game and hear an expert commentator talk rather than a wicketkeeper ranting for six balls. Maybe that's because I've heard it all before standing at first slip my whole career."

MELBOURNE: Virat Kohli is not interested in fighting perceptions about his public persona, something that has been debated endlessly over the years across various platforms.

Asked about his take on how he has been perceived over the years, Kohli seemed nonchalant.

"What I do or how I think, I am not going to take a banner outside to the world and explain that this is who I am and you need to like me or stuff like that. These are things that happen on the outside," the skipper said on the eve of 'Boxing Day' Test.

"I have no control over that. It's an individual choice, what you want to focus on. My focus is on the Test match, winning the Test match and doing well for the team. That's all it is," the outspoken India captain added.

Kohli said that he is clueless about what people are writing about him but insisted that he respects their opinions.

"I honestly have no idea about any of the articles or anything that people say because that does not concern me. It's not something I have written. Everyone is entitled to his or her point of view, and I have total respect for that. I just want to focus on good cricket, and try and make my team win."

When asked about his casting as the "villain" of the series by certain sections of the Australian media and perhaps even by the fans, even though Indian coach Ravi Shastri called him an 'absolute gentleman', Kohli maintained he doesn't need to explain his actions.

"He(Shastri) has spent enough time with me to know the kind of person I am. The people who know me, you can ask them. I won't be answering this question myself."

Kohli was involved in an on field spat with his opposite number Tim Paine during the second Test, but the Indian skipper emphasised that he was only focussed on the cricketing aspect.

"That's past. It's Test cricket, at the highest level, when two tough teams are going against each other, there will be things that will happen on the field. I think it is important to leave it there and focus on the next Test."

"We are not looking to find something to talk about. As long as the line is not crossed, you have no issues. I am sure Tim and myself both understand what happened and don't want to do something unnecessary. We want to lead our teams well and play good cricket, which the public wants to see," Kohli in his reply also sent a subtle message for the Australian captain.

Kohli, who scored a classy 123 in the second Test in Perth, has been head and shoulders above his teammates as far as quality of batsmanship is concerned.

His answer about batting in unfamiliar terrains explained why he is a notch above rest.

"As a batsman, if at any stage, you are hesitating or are scared of the pace and the bounce then you are definitely going to get hit. It's something that you sit in your room and work on, it's not something that you can arrive and feel on that particular day."

Kohli added for him, it's about getting into a positive frame of mind more than anything and he works relentlessly to achieve it.

"For me, what has worked is being comfortable in where I am playing. Not necessarily looking at how difficult the wicket is, but if you are able to feel comfortable there, then you are more or less in control of what you want to do."

"It's something that I work on and I think that's probably the only and the most important thing to get into that frame of mind, where you feel like you are ready enough to get runs anywhere. That takes a constant effort on a daily basis. It's just about getting into a positive frame of mind."

For Kohli, the success depends on how much one can sort out the mental aspect of Test match batting.

"It's hardly anything technical, I feel it is 80% mental and 20% technical when you go to any country away from your conditions to play.The teams that stay in a good zone for long enough, they end up doing special things," he added.

The interview was first published in Mumbai Mirror on December 23, 2018

Virender Sehwag once said Matthew Hayden would step out to a new ball bowler and then sledge him… he was a typical Australian cricketer who played the game hard. He finds same qualities in Virat Kohli and says India are the favourties for the series.


Excerpts from an interview…

How do you analyse the series so far?

Both sides are playing their best cricket at this stage and that actually is making for a good competition. Things are getting exciting but I don’t think either side has flexed their muscle yet entirely. Knowing the conditions in Melbourne, I expect the MCG to have better batting conditions and a little less support to the fast bowlers. Among the individual, Cheteshwar Pujara has been outstanding, Virat Kohli as usual was exceptional, Ajinkya Rahane played dangerous cricket and R Ashwin showed how the Australian batsmen can be vulnerable to spin bowling.

From the Australian point of view…

Marcus Harris looked promising, without getting a very big score. His performance so far will give him confidence for the future, very organised and extremely composed. Usman Khawaja was outstanding but none of that would have been possible without the support of Harris and Finch on difficult conditions.

I think India’s choice of playing without a frontline spinner proved to be their undoing on hindsight and I think it won’t happen going forward, especially when you are up against the Australian batting which is susceptible to spin.

Are you surprised by India’s weakness against Nathan Lyon?

I think he was the standout bowler of the series so far, he will be handful to any batsman, in-form or outof-form. But look, it does look like India are struggling against the offspin bowler but he is in top of his game. He may not get much help at the MCG but in Sydney, he will be right back in his game again.

You being an opener, do you have any suggestions for Indian openers?

Well I think Murali (Vijay) got some very good deliveries, I don’t have a lot of criticism against him at this stage. He got a few good balls, he will be fine going forward I think. KL Rahul looked confident but he did not get runs but that can be argued.

The series is being promoted as a street brawl. It seems to be living up to the billing.

I think it is far from a street brawl. It is played in the right spirit. The players are going hard at each other. I don’t think anything said is untoward. It’s nice to see two guys going head to head. At the moment, the series poised one-all, it is going to be street battle in the next two Test matches when the emotions will be very high. Be prepared to see cricket played very hard way moving forward.

Australia seems obsessed with Virat.

I don’t think so. Virat Kohli, I think, is more Australian than Indian in many ways. He has been playing this way. He plays the game in a very competitive spirit. He is very animated, very passionate, and he is very emotional. I think a lot of Australians at all levels of sport play the game like that. They are also very competitive, they enjoy the heat of the battle. As long as there is a line and I don’t think Virat has crossed that. No match referee or conjectures off the field. So everything has remained on the field.

Mitchell Johnson called him silly and disrespectful.

Well, Mitch is entitled to his opinion and I have got mine.

What about the MCG wicket?

I think it will be much better drop-in wicket than we have seen for a very long period of time. It does not tend to break up or deteriorate like in Perth. It will be a bit batting friendly but it will be a battle of attrition actually. Whoever outscores the opposition with a big first innings total will go on to win the Test. The weather can be different, you can have four sessions in one day, it’s very hot.

You have played against many Indian sides and Ravi Shastri says it is the best in the recent times. What do you say?

I think it is. I think it is the most complete Indian team to have ever toured (Australia). India have incredible batting depth, it is very confident in the spin bowling department, it is good in fast bowling too. The young wicketkeeper (Rishab Pant) is a real breath of fresh air, he will be very good find for Test cricket. The fast bowling unit speaks for itself. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not even playing in the XI.

Finally, India or Australia and why?

I think India should clinch the series. Why because, they have a balanced side, an extremely settled bowling unit, and depth in spin. It is hard to win away from home and this will prove to be no different. But India should win, they really are the favourites, they need good partnerships, which they have not had.