In late 2024, India’s Test team arrived in Australia in a unique position: as the de facto defending champions. Historically, Asian teams endured a 70-year drought in Australia, failing to win a series in 30 attempts. That changed in 2019 when India, powered by a dominant batting display, sealed a historic 2-1 victory. They repeated the feat in 2021, famously clinching the series with a stunning run chase in Brisbane.
India had seemingly cracked the code of winning in Australia, triumphing against the hosts’ first-choice bowling attack twice in a row. Back home, their dominance was unquestioned, retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with swift victories in Nagpur and Delhi in early 2023. These successes solidified India’s reputation as an unbeatable force at home and a team capable of conquering Australia.
Favourites or Flawed Contenders?
On paper, India’s achievements suggest they should be favourites heading into the upcoming five-Test series. However, a closer look at their recent performances reveals inconsistencies. While India conquered Australia, it faltered elsewhere. Losses to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final and an embarrassing 3-0 home series defeat this month underscore their struggles against determined opposition.
In South Africa, India failed to capitalise on promising starts, losing consecutive series. Their 2021 series in England was left incomplete due to pandemic-related concerns. By the time they returned a year later, a confident Virat Kohli-led team had been replaced by a less cohesive unit under Rohit Sharma, and England—rejuvenated under Ben Stokes—turned the tables.
A Team in Transition
India’s current squad is markedly different from the one that triumphed in Brisbane three years ago. Only Rishabh Pant and, possibly, Mohammed Siraj are likely to feature in that XI. Veterans like Kohli, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Bumrah bring experience but were absent during the 2021 decider. The rest of the team comprises fresh faces like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, along with players like Sarfaraz Khan, whose positions seem precarious due to inconsistent performances.
This lack of continuity contrasts starkly with Australia, who will field the same bowling attack for the third series running. While their batting lineup has evolved, the core of the team remains intact, offering stability in a rivalry that continues to intensify.
A New Test Awaits
The upcoming series presents fresh challenges. For the first time, India will face Australia in a five-Test format, raising the stakes. Winning two matches, as in previous years, may no longer suffice to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This Indian side, despite its potential, must confront both the weight of history and the hurdles of inexperience.
The task ahead is monumental, but India’s past successes in Australia offer a glimmer of hope. As they prepare to take the field, the team can draw inspiration from their predecessors, who proved that the improbable is achievable. Whether this campaign becomes a continuation of India’s dominance or a reminder of cricket’s unpredictability remains to be seen.