The Most Intense Rivalry in the World Cricket INDIA V AUSTRALIA has started and next one and a half month is no less than a Heaven for Cricket Fans . We will wake up in the Dawn even during Exams and in Heavy Winter to cheer our Team with full spirit . We all know how Special this Rivalry is ; from celebrating REPUBLIC DAY and AUSTRALIA DAY on same day , we are Big Intense Rivals on field . Whether you remember being Runner Up to them in 2003 WC or the Tied test match we have been involved in one of the most Historic matches ever played in this Game .

We are involved in one of the Two Tied test matches in History and ours was such a Thriller with 4 needed in last over . Shastri managed 3 off first 3 ; taking Single was a good decision but Maninder Singh got out Unfortunately . SUNIL GAVASKAR the only of two non-Australians to have 100s on all 5 major grounds . We remember KAPIL DEV palying despite being Ill picking 5fer and taking us Victorious . MONKEY-GATE spat where HARBHAJAN SINGH was accused of saying MONKEY to ANDREW SYMONDS . Though he actually said Hindi Slang – “MAA KI” but still he faced 3 match ban and fine on Racism . It was criticized as why Aussies will take it that seriously when someone is giving them Back what they continuously give to their Opponents . Whether we remember some BEAMERS by them right on body or PONTING claiming a dropped catch ; these incidents just Sucks our Blood . Icing on the Cake is that some absolute Legends playing these games . SUNIL GAVASKAR and KAPIL DEV Masterclass there facing ALLAN BORDER and STEVE WAUGH which latter also playing his last game against us , then under GANGULY how SACHIN , DRAVID and LAXMAN shined , facing Legendary opponents like MCGRATH , LEE , WARNE , GILCHRIST , HAYDEN . The Sachin Rivalry with Brett Lee and Mcgarth were Competitive Delight but the Best one was Sachin-Warne Rivalry .

Right from the time India-Australia series was named BORDER GAVASKAR Trophy in 1996 it intensified the Excitement and Level of this series . Though Australia has won 5 test series in India but was too way back and after this Trophy is started just once a Visiting Team won (Australia) in 2004-05 . When we went there in 2003-04 it was said that we will be Whitewahsed but we drew the closley fought series 1-1 . Who can forget Historic Epic matches like EDEN GARDENS in 2001 where won even after being enforced Follow On with the Heroics of LAXMAN , DRAVID and SACHIN (not in Batting but in Bowling) , ADELAIDE and PERTH victories ; Aussies winning the DECIDER . We getting Whitewashed in 2010-11 and then giving them same treatment to them in 2013-14 .

Just take the last series among us ; it was such a Tight series , Aussies winning the match comprehensively on difficult Pune wicket , then we winning a match magically in Bengaluru , then a Interesting Draw in Ranchi and then we winning the Decider at Dharmshala like Champions . Last series in Australia was a closley fought one as well . Though we lost first 2 matches , but both matches were extremely Close . It was followed further by two close matches both of which ended in Draws ; the 3rd one was also the last match of MS DHONI’s career after which he opted out of this format due to too much Starin on him but even in last match he helped India save the game . In 1st game the GUTS Kohli showed in going for a Brave Chase and almost made us win that Historic game made Dhoni confident that my Team is in safe hands even after him . So he decided to retire in 3rd match only without thinking of personal records , to give his Successor one match more experience of leading in Australia . The Sacrifice which he made then , KOHLI has the Time and Opportunity to prove that decision Fruitful .

First let’s take a look at the T20Is . In the 1st match Australia with the courtsey of MAXWELL , LYNN and STOINIS scored 158/5 in 17 overs , KULDEEP was pick of bowlers ; then Rain came in the game giving us a Revised target of 174 to chase down in 17 overs . Target was bigger than expected as we had 3 overs of our prime bowlers left but all their big batsman were Out . With the courtsey of DHAWAN we got off to a flying start but after a Big Collapse we were left in brink of loss but PANT and KARTHIK had other ideas ; they smashed too hard but we felt short by mere 4 runs . In 2nd match we showed superb Discipline with ball specially BHUVI was releasing Fire and all others giving ample support restricted them to 132/7 in 19 0vers . Then rain came again and the match was Abandoned . Till now everyone wanted DROUGHT to save Cricket from Rain . In 3rd match India showed that Rain can’t help you all the time . They posted 164 with small contributions of almost all and KRUNAL was our pick with 4 wickets , he gave a fitting reply to all who thought he is not fit in the Team after the 1st game . We started off too well with ROHIT and DHAWAN specially Latter ; a small collapse created some Tension but couldn’t stop KING KOHLI from Chasing yet another one in style and he was well supported by KARTHIK again . This Victory was very special and to be cherished for long .

Also the Lady Host of FOX CRICKET Channel who has trying to mock Kohli over his dismissal , dropped catch and lost match ; she was compelled to praise Indians even she didn’t wanted to do so and I was too Happy and Cheeky seeing that . So T20Is ended in a Draw ; maybe we will pull result on our side in the upcoming series . But we can say for sure that our T20 team is extremely strong with our Bowling the Best in the world . In Batting some minor ups and downs are required . After HARDIK comes ; both Brothers should play at 6 and 7 ; RAHUL should only play as Opener or else there is too much pressure on him . RAYUDU should come in the Squad as well . Also Hardik coming back will automatically bring CHAHAL in as well taking our Bowling to a Ultimate high level .

Now let’s come in to the Tests ; we have quite a Good and long 18 member squad which is surely capable to win the series down under . My Playing XI will be :
We have , VIJAY , RAHUL and SHAW as Openers ; though I appreciate the comeback of VIJAY but will go with other 2 only initially having , PUJARA , KOHLI and RAHANE in middle order , in absence of All Rounder PANDYA we have to settle with a Batsman only as having 5 bowlers will bring too much Pressure on batsman ; he should be VIHARI instead of ROHIT , then we will have PANT as wicket keeper and we also have PARTHIV as a reserve keeper . We have as many as 5 pacers UMESH , BHUVI , SHAMI , BUMRAH and ISHANT ; my picks are 2nd , 3rd and 4th ones . . We have 3 spinners JADEJA , ASHWIN and KULDEEP ; my choice wil be JADDU as primary spinner ;

Now over the debates in selection ; SHAW is irremovavle , tussle between RAHUL and VIJAY and I think Former should be in the XI due to the Tremendous Potential he has and certainly Form is against him and he is just finding ways to get out ; Time is not by his side currently but he will make it by his side is what I and Capatin think . At no. 6 I have selected VIHARI instead of ROHIT as I think his Temperament and Technique is more adaptable and I don’t find ROHIT a Beast in Tests ; I think he is just pushing himself too much by playing this format . Amongst Pacers , I want BHUVI above ISHANT and UMESH ; we should remember BHUVI’S recent performances in South Africa and Asia Cup . If he did well there he will here as well . But , Pace and Bounce are also marketable points but I think SHAMI and BUMRAH are enough for that and why to drop BHUVI and reduce one Technically competent batsman . Also it’s the 4th and 3rd OZ Tour for ISHANT and UMESH with both not impressing in any of them ; so instead of them why can’t we give Cahnce to someone who has constantly been our Spearhead . Amongst Spinners , I picked JADDU not just because ASHWIN was below his level in last few tests in England due to Injury but I think former is a Better All Rounder on any given day .
Just yesterday the only 4 day Practice Match was concluded . Firstly we started Batting with PRITHVI and KOHLI being the Stars with Fluent fifties . RAHANE , PUJARA , VIHARI and ROHIT also got Runs . RAHUL missed a golden opportunity by playing a Loose shot and by this time he had almost lost Opening Slot . Also VIHARI is ahead from ROHIT for no.6 spot with PANT coming at 7 . When it came to Bowling we were way below the mark ; SHAMI picked 3 but was Expensive , UMESH was not at all Impressive , ISHANT was quite average , ASHWIN bowled well and picked 2 and has almost sealed his spot as Lone spinner . JADEJA bowled well but couldn’t pick a wickey and has maube lost out on Spin Race to team . BUMRAH was just called for picking last wicket with one over . I think Team will go with SHAMI , BUMRAH and ISHANT . KULDEEP and BHUVI didn’t bowled at all and PARTHIV wasn’t given to Bat it shows they are not in the team’s scheme of things for now .

Two big incidents happened ; Skipper took a Wicket which is a Miracle and he himself laughed cheekily at it , the other incident that took place was Prithvi Shaw’s Left Ankle getting twisted badly and he is ruled out of 1st match but I think he will also not be able to play in the 2nd match , it’s a Drastic Bog blow and now we have to go with RAHUL and VIJAY only . ROHIT or VIHARI opening dosn’t seem to be a idea running in team’s mind as they want to go with Specialist Openers .
So here stands the Test Series ; and we are no doubt the Favourites to start . They will be saying that they lost because they didn’t had SMITH and WARNER ; but did we said so when we didn’t had BHUVI and BUMRAH on Engalnd Tour . So excuses apart let’s focus on the series . I genuinely think that Aussies bowling is stronger than ours at their Home and we have to play very good cricket to be at them . The main tussle will be KOHLI-STARC Rivalry and it will surely be more Intense than KOHLI-ANDERSON and KOHLI-JOHNSON which Kohli won comprehensively , here he may get dismissed by him once or twice .

Some Australian players have cracked Jokes like Australia will win it 4-0 and Kohli will not score a single century in the whole tour . Keeping jokes apart , that also the Oz Media will try to create bad impression for us to provoke us and they have started doing so calling ISHANT “Worst pacer to tarvel Australia” and calling us COWARD BATS . Though players from both sides have said there will be No Sledging , but I think that there will be and without it the IND-AUS Flavour gets missing ; also aussie need to play with that BAD GUY Attotude only as it will only bring out best out of them . But we have to keep our Mindet in the right space and play positive cricket .

Also Tests will be followed by ODIs which is a Foolish idea as T20 specialists which are back to India have to again go back there . Outlr PDI side is almost complete and we just need to stick with it . But Australia is not having a good run in this format even when their two Spearheads were there so we can and should whitewash them easily . But I want two players to atleast be given a go before World Cup ; SHUBHMAN GILL and ISHAN KISHAN as both are playing in a Trenendous way throughout the Domestic season . My team for Australia which will also be carried away to New Zealand :
ROHIT DHAWAN KOHLI(C) RAHUL RAYUDU GILL DHONI(WK) KISHAN JADHAV PANDYA (hope he comes back) CHAHAL KULDEEP BHUVI BUMRAH KHALEEL .

So just imagine the Intensity which will be exerted by our TVs and Mobiles during this tour . Mnay were shouting to remove Kohli-Shastri combo after losses in England and South Africa but I told everyone to have faith , be calm and believe in your team . If we have really learnt from the Two tours we will surely show results this time ; we just need to take care of one aspect , Removing the TAIL we always run through the Top order but struggle against Lower order and Virat has to take this responsibility and it’s high time we get rid of this DISEASE . We couldn’t have asked for a Better ETHAN HUNT to lead us in this MISSION IMPOSSIBLE . Also a Aussie cricekt expert has said and I fully agree with him that if india couldn’t win it this time I doubt they will EVER Win a series in Australia . Aussies have printed an article that we are Coward Bats scared of bounce in Perth and Darkness in Adelaide . Let’s show who are BATS using the BATS and tame these KANGAROOS that are jumping too much higher than their prescribed limit . We all know that this year hasn’t been a great year for us but we were with the team even when we all won all the series last year and also when we have lost a couple . Let’s just forget how we started in CAPE TOWN and let’s end it on a high at SYDNEY . Whenever someone challenges INDIA and KOHLI we all know how much Grief he has to go through . Come on India Play Bold Bleed Blue .

JAI HIND

ARUNESH SINHA