TOP 5 REASON WHY INDIA COULD BE BLANKED 4-0 IN THE TEST SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA

Looking specifically at Indian batsmen’s performances in Australia, Kohli has done splendidly well. In 12 Tests Down Under, he has amassed 1274 runs...

- RENIN WILBEN

India created history the last time they visited Australia, clinching their first-ever Test series win Down Under. Led by Cheteshwar Pujara’s Dravid-eqsue effort -- 521 runs in four Tests, inclusive of three centuries -- India pinned down the Australian bowlers. The Indian bowlers themselves put up a terrific performance. Jasprit Bumrah headed the list of wicket-takers with 21 scalps, well supported by Mohammed Shami (16) and Ishant Sharma (11). India will have their task cut out this time though. We look at five reasons why India may end up being whitewashed 4-0 in the upcoming Test series.

VIRAT KOHLI’S ABSENCE AFTER ADELAIDE TEST

Sanjay Manjrekar had recently stated that, in foreign conditions, Virat Kohli is half the Indian batting. And, he has a point. Apart from Pujara on the last tour, most other batsmen have struggled in SENA countries. Looking specifically at Indian batsmen’s performances in Australia, Kohli has done splendidly well. In 12 Tests Down Under, he has amassed 1274 runs at an average of 55.39 with six hundreds.

Pujara had a splendid last tour but had struggled during the 2014-15 visit, with just 201 runs in three Tests. Also, he doesn’t have a single century in his last nine Tests. In these games, he has only scored 414 runs at an average of under 30. Shifting focus to Rahane, who could lead India Down Under in Kohli’s absence after the first Test, he averages a healthy 44 across eight Tests in Australia.