It is always an exciting battle when the best take on the best in any sport. It brings out the thrill and it is good for the game when there is good competition between the two sides, which keeps the spectators on the edge of their seats. India and Australia bring the same excitement and thrill, when both the potent teams take on each other.
Brett Lee, Australia’s former gun pacer, has been part of some gruelling matches between the two sides. Lee believes India vs Australia is one of the best rivalries and now it is par with the oldest cricketing battle – the Ashes.
Both India and Australia bring out the best in themselves when they take on each other. There is always good competition and the players who perform in the series are considered to be special talent.
Meanwhile, India had savoured their maiden success on the Australian soil in the previous series as they won by 2-1 back in 2018-19. Virat Kohli’s team is once again ready to tour Australia later in the year and it is going to be challenging for the visitors as Steven Smith and David Warner are back in the Australian squad.
“The tour is so important. Anytime that India gets the chance to tour Australia or vice versa. It always was Australia versus England in the Ashes. That was always the pinnacle. I do believe now that this (India vs Australia) is definitely at par”.
“When Australia plays India in a Test series, that’s definitely right up there with the best competition to watch and the best rivalry. There’s definitely no love lost, but the two nations appreciate the cricket which they play,” Lee told Times of India in an exclusive interview from Sydney.
Both the team’s players are looking forward to the much-awaited series of the year. The Australian team has begun training and they are also reported to tour England for limited overs series.
On the other hand, Indian players are yet to get back to training as there is a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, which has forced the BCCI to postpone the training camp.
India will kick-off their Australia tour with the first Test at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 3 whereas the second Test, which will be a pink ball affair will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 11.
There are some doubts over the hosting of Melbourne for the third Test from December 26 as the cases have increased in Victoria. The final Test will be hosted at Sydney from January 3. India will also play a three-match ODI series against Australia.