The much-awaited Australia vs India Test series is set to begin from Dec 6 with the first Test starting in Adelaide. This time though cricket pundits are favoring the visitors instead of the home team, something that has not happened for a long time.

Australia coach Justin Langer admitted that India had a realistic chance of a series win this time and said to Australian radio channel SEN’s Whateley, “You sense they’re smelling blood. Just like the great Australian cricket team of 2001 felt and we just fell short (of winning in India) and we were able to (win in) 2004. You sense these moments. I’m sensing India feel that.”

“They’re a good team and they’ve got a couple of great players and we will show them great respect. They haven’t had great success in Australia in the past, as Australia haven’t had in India. They’ll also be under great pressure, I think,” he said.

Australia will sorely miss Steve Smith and David Warner, who were banned for a year each after their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March this year. Langer said his team also have a lot to prove, “... they’re (India) up against a really talented young Australian cricket team who have got plenty to prove. We’ve been through so much in the last nine months. We’ve been rolling our sleeves up, we’ve got plenty to prove as well.”

Langer was also positive that Marcus Harris will have a good debut.

Langer said, “We’re pretty sure Marcus Harris will make his debut which is very exciting for him. He’s scored 500 runs in Shield cricket in eight innings, that’s a great way to go into a Test match. He’s a terrific young player and he’s looked very good in some of the most competitive net sessions I’ve seen for a long time in Australian cricket. He’s looked very composed.”

(with hindustantimes.com inputs)