As the time for the Border-Gavaskar trophy opening Test nears, both Australia and India are trying to find their best playing XIs while struggling with injuries and selection issues. The first Test will be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 17 and will be a D/N, pink-ball affair.

Meanwhile, India batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has warned Virat Kohli and the Indian team of three potentially dangerous players from the Australian team, who could stand in their way and victory.  

Tendulkar reminded India that Australia has Steve Smith and David Warner in the team from the last time when Kohli and his men beat the home side in their own den in the Test series for the first time ever. Another player Tendulkar singled out was Marnus Labuschagne.

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“From the last time that Australia played India they have got three important players. They have got Warner who is back in the team, Smith, and (Marnus) Labuschagne,” Tendulkar told AFP.

“This is a far better squad compared to the earlier one. When a couple of your senior members are not there, suddenly that void is felt and that is what Australia felt,” Tendulkar added.

However, Sachin Tendulkar, who toured Australia in 1992, 1999-00, 2003-04, 2008, and 2011-12, said that India has bowlers to counter these master batsmen.

“Every era should be kept separate, I don’t like comparing. But I can say that it (India) is a complete bowling attack. So it doesn’t matter what kind of surface you are playing on, you have got all sides covered. You have got bowlers who can swing the ball.

When it comes to variations and awkwardness that is also there. Someone hitting the deck hard is also there. We have got a wrist spinner, we have got finger spinners,” Tendulkar said.

(AFP inputs)