Team India has traveled to Australia for an all-format series starting from November 27. While the Aussies will play a full-strength format in each of the three formats, India will miss their vice-captain Rohit Sharma for the limited-overs series and their skipper Virat Kohli for the final three Tests.
The last time India traveled to Australia, Steve Smith and David Warner were serving their bans and were not present in the squads. Former Indian cricketer Rohan Gavaskar believes that now the two of them are back, Australia start as favorites against India.
Gavaskar told Hindustan Times, "Absolutely it (the return of Steve Smith and David Warner) just adds so much more to the Australian side. Last time we went to Australia as favorites."
"I don’t think anybody was surprised by the result. This time around, Steve Smith and David Warner, two of the best batsmen of the world returning to their side will make it different. Australia will start as favorites," he added.
According to Rohan Gavaskar, India has a very strong side and that has made the rivalry between India and Australia that much exciting over the last 10-12 years. He said, "We are a fantastic side. The balance of bowling and batting that India has will make it a great series. Over the last 10-12 years, that is the rivalry that most cricket fans look for."
The bilateral series starts with the ODI leg in November followed by the T20Is and the four Tests.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)
