India have not lost a home Test series for 10 years. Since 2013, the Asian giants have been indomitable at home. They have lost only two Test matches – TWO! – at home in the past decade. The Indian team has enjoyed an incredible, fearsome home dominance of an entire decade.
In this period, Australia themselves have lost a couple of Test series in India – 4-0 whitewash in 2013 and 3-1 loss in 2017. With most of their players having had the experience of Indian conditions in those two series losses, the Aussies have devised a good plan – and what seems the best option they could have done – to prepare for the turning tracks in India.
Australia scuffed up the pitches to practice for spin-friendly surfaces in India
For the upcoming 4 Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in India, Australia have begun their preparations in Sydney by purposefully making scuffing up the practice pitches, making cracks in it, and deliberately creating roughs near the batting crease.
Senior Australian journalists Andrew McGlashan and Daniel Brettig have posted pictures of the pitch in Sydney where the Australian players have commenced their preparations for the India tour.
“Dusty deck: the scarified surface,” Brettig tweeted with a couple of pictures that revealed the pitch condition.
“The scuffed up pitch Australia have used to prepare for India,” McGlashan captioned the photo of the pitch that indeed is really scuffed up to imitate what the Aussies are certain to get in India right from Day 1.
Australia will come on the high of a successful home summer. In Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, they have the top two ranked ICC Test batsman, plus David Warner and Travis Head also had a bumper home season. However, in the opposition ranks, they will face Jadeja and Ashwin, the top two ranked Test all-rounders, and two of the most successful spinners in Indian conditions.
The 4 Tests promising to be as exciting as it can be.
Not to forget, there is a place in the World Test Championship Final at stake for both the teams. India need a series win, while Australia need to avoid a 4-0 white-wash to seal their places in the WTC final. It is entirely possible – and very much likely – that both teams reach the WTC final, slated for June at the Oval.
