Virat Kohli taking guard to face up against Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah trying to get past the defences of Steve Smith, David Warner are some of the mouth-watering contests within the bigger contest that Australia's head coach Justin Langer feels excited over when he thinks of the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled in December-January.
Langer believes we are in for a great series when Team India arrives down under for another four-Test rubber, having won there on the last trip in 2018-19 season for the very first time under Kohli's captaincy, a result the coach thinks his wards will be able to avenge.
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"The entire (Australian) team has grown as a unit including David and Steve (since the last series)," Langer told Sportstar. "It was a difficult summer 18 months ago against a very impressive side which I still rate as one of the toughest I have seen. We learnt some lessons along the way."
"I always enjoy seeing the best of the best going against each other and in a series like Australia versus India, there will be many great players who will put on a show. Virat (Kohli) versus Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and David Warner vs Jasprit (Bumrah). It’s a tantalising prospect for any cricket lover," he added.
While Kohli will obviously attract attention in team meetings for his sheer greatness, another Indian batsman that Australia would've learnt a lot more about during and after the last series is Cheteshwar Pujara.
The Indian No.3 struck 521 runs at an average of 74.42, including hundreds in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, in a legendary summer that he'll forever be remembered for.
"He certainly had a very strong series, that’s for sure," said Langer. "But we have come a long way since that summer and improved as a side across the board."
"He, like all the batsmen, will pose challenges so we just have to back ourselves and be ready. We have enormous respect for the Indian cricket team and never underestimate any of their players."
"Like always we will be well prepared and do our best to compete strongly against our respected opponent," he added.
If the series happens on time despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Brisbane will host the first Test from December 3, followed by matches in Adelaide (Dec 11-15), Melbourne (Dec 26-30) and Sydney (Jan 3-7).
The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, though, is now shrouded with greater uncertainty, with the sudden spike in the number of Coronavirus positive cases in Victoria.
There are talks that the traditional encounter could be taken out of the iconic MCG.
Opining on the matter, Langer said: "that’s not a decision for me as a coach but I can guarantee no matter where Australia plays we will bring our absolute best. Of course, we love playing at the MCG on Boxing Day but as we have seen around the world right now nothing is ever certain."
"That all said, there are few better feelings than singing the national anthem or walking onto the field in front of 80-90,000 people at the MCG on Boxing Day," he added.
