Is India's upcoming tour the best chance for ANY Asian side ever to win a Test series in Australia?

[Slog]

Discuss.

Only in 2003 when India toured could you say an Asian team had a good chance. India was very strong and more importantly the Aussie side was wrecked with issues with McGrath and Lee injured and Warne banned. India was able to get a 1-1 draw.

In this instance again the best two Aussie players are unavailable and this Aussie team is weak to begin with even with the inclusion of those two

If India dont win this time I doubt any Asian team ever will

 

[AMSS]

India does not equal Asia. SL, Bengalis and Pak would get duly crushed if they were to tour now. Not sure what's the point of writing Asian instead of Indian unless other subcontinental side want to bask in some vicarious glory of India's success.

India does have a chance, but they also came close in 2003-04 and 2008. As weak Australia are, India aren't a well oiled unit either, ranking notwithstanding. Shaw and Pant would be touring for the first time. Ajinkya has had a massive form slump and Pujara isn't the same outside of subcontinent. Rahul has his own demons to face. Pandya who would have been a lock in these conditions is missing.

It's only Kohli, like it was only Sachin in yesteryears. But bowling does look serviceable if Bumrah, Ishant, Shami and Bhuvi stay fit.

 

[Slog]

India does not equal Asia. SL, Bengalis and Pak would get duly crushed if they were to tour now. Not sure what's the point of writing Asian instead of Indian unless other subcontinental side want to bask in some vicarious glory of India's success.

Lol way to be defensive

I mean that Australia is weak and of the Asian sides India is the strongest which is why this is arguably the best chance for any Asian side to win a series in Aus. There’s not been such a mismatch between an Aus team and a touring Asian team before

 

[szrana]

No, Aus in 80's was weaker, still they didn't lose to Imran Khan's Pakistan, the best Asian team of the time.

 

[Buffet]

India is likely to lose this test series. Aus bowling is still very strong and batsmen will still score runs in Aus.

 

[Junaids]

Yes of course, Australia has no batting.

Both India and Pakistan should/would win in Australia with Smith and Warner banned.

 

[Sherlock]

This is the worst Aussies side I have ever witnessed, be it in ODIs/T20s or Tests. If India don't calim victory there, they never will.

 

[Ozeirk]

India does not equal Asia. SL, Bengalis and Pak would get duly crushed if they were to tour now. Not sure what's the point of writing Asian instead of Indian unless other subcontinental side want to bask in some vicarious glory of India's success.

India does have a chance, but they also came close in 2003-04 and 2008. As weak Australia are, India aren't a well oiled unit either, ranking notwithstanding. Shaw and Pant would be touring for the first time. Ajinkya has had a massive form slump and Pujara isn't the same outside of subcontinent. Rahul has his own demons to face. Pandya who would have been a lock in these conditions is missing.

It's only Kohli, like it was only Sachin in yesteryears. But bowling does look serviceable if Bumrah, Ishant, Shami and Bhuvi stay fit.

Don’t include Pakistan in your comment. Pakistan is a far better touring team than India regardless of their form in Asian conditions.

We saw what happened in England not too long ago, Australiaian conditions will be much tougher than that. I believe you will be bitterly disappointed if you tie any hopes with this series.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes of course, Australia has no batting.

Both India and Pakistan should/would win in Australia with Smith and Warner banned.

No batting you say.

Khawaja,Renshaw,and Shaun Marsh are tailenders in your opinion I'm guessing?

 

[Hasan123]

Australia will win the series. They have a very good bowling attack and they have batsmen who can score runs at home.

 

[Sachin136]

Don’t include Pakistan in your comment. Pakistan is a far better touring team than India regardless of their form in Asian conditions.

We saw what happened in England not too long ago, Australiaian conditions will be much tougher than that. I believe you will be bitterly disappointed if you tie any hopes with this series.

Pakistan was whitewashed in their last tours of Australia, NZ, and SA. They even lost a test match in WI.

 

[rhony]

Indian batting line up is brittle. It's amazing how subpar Rahane has been and still holding on to his spot with a decent innings once in a blue moon. Vijay was terrible in Eng, Shaw is new. Only Kohli and to some extent Pujara can contribute. Aussie bowling in those conditions is excellent and their batsmen in home conditions are decent. This Indian batting line up couldn't chase down par scores in England.

 

[AMSS]

Lol way to be defensive

I mean that Australia is weak and of the Asian sides India is the strongest which is why this is arguably the best chance for any Asian side to win a series in Aus. There’s not been such a mismatch between an Aus team and a touring Asian team before

What defensive. Pakistan would be whitewashed again if they were to tour. As for India, they have as good a chance as England. So using "Asia" is clearly inaccurate as it implies lowly ranked teams like Pak and SL stand a similar chance.

 

[AMSS]

Don’t include Pakistan in your comment. Pakistan is a far better touring team than India regardless of their form in Asian conditions.

We saw what happened in England not too long ago, Australiaian conditions will be much tougher than that. I believe you will be bitterly disappointed if you tie any hopes with this series.

LMAO!

Remind me when was Pak NOT whitewahed in australia?

 

[Sachin136]

LMAO!

Remind me when was Pak NOT whitewahed in australia?

1995. http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesListCountry.asp?A=AUS&B=PAK&W=H

 

[szrana]

What defensive. Pakistan would be whitewashed again if they were to tour. As for India, they have as good a chance as England. So using "Asia" is clearly inaccurate as it implies lowly ranked teams like Pak and SL stand a similar chance.

England has multiple series wins in aus, remind me how many has ind? Yeah that's right same as Pak and Lanka. So much for them having same chance as England in aus,lol

 

[Junaids]

No batting you say.

Khawaja,Renshaw,and Shaun Marsh are tailenders in your opinion I'm guessing?

Yes, correct.

 

[rhony]

1995. http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesListCountry.asp?A=AUS&B=PAK&W=H

I guess 95 was the closest for Pakistan to win the series against Aussies. Langer was not given out when the game was in balance in Hobart??? For Indians it was 2008 but Bucknor and Patel made sure India drew.

 

[rhony]

In the last decade this is the best Indian bowling lineup and the worst batting lineup visiting Aussie shores.

 

[Gullycricket]

Same thing was said in 2011-12 but what happened

 

[docteurmanish]

true

best chance for any side

- england will defeat aussie . too much batting depth
- india - can defeat if openers perform. shaw is the key along with rahul and vijay ( i would pick shaw vijay rahul kohli and rohit along with pant jadeja ashwin bumrah shami and ishant)
- pak . unpredictable at best . dont seem to have recent success in test matches outside of uae. also no bowler of akhtar class or saqlain class but they form a good unit . 1-2 in aussie favor
- sa chokers in aus , will win only at home
- bangladesh , wi , sl - are u kidding me
nz - can draw and even win . most underrated but perhaps on par with india and only inferior to england

does not matter if smith or warner are not present . teams that win abroad are able to put runs on board - england and even india have the ability .

 

[Suleiman]

This question was asked last tour too, no it's not the best chance. There is no best chance.

Australia in Australia in tests is like India in India in tests. No matter how poorly either team is doing in any other format, in any other corner of the world, in their backyard they have unique challenges which only they themselves know how to beat.

They will draw a test, maybe 2, which will be a "decent" performance, but no more. Only wins will be moral.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The best chance was in 2009/10 when Australia was weak in both batting and bowling with the sole exception of Michael Hussey.

 

[rhony]

This question was asked last tour too, no it's not the best chance. There is no best chance.

Australia in Australia in tests is like India in India in tests. No matter how poorly either team is doing in any other format, in any other corner of the world, in their backyard they have unique challenges which only they themselves know how to beat.

They will draw a test, maybe 2, which will be a "decent" performance, but no more. Only wins will be moral.

Well said. The last time England toured India, some random yadav scored a hundred and Karun scored 300. They are no where to be seen now.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Nope. India will struggle as usual.

 

[the_outsider]

Lol way to be defensive

I mean that Australia is weak and of the Asian sides India is the strongest which is why this is arguably the best chance for any Asian side to win a series in Aus. There’s not been such a mismatch between an Aus team and a touring Asian team before

Please let's not pretend. You highlighted "ANY" in your title in all caps for a reason. And it certainly wasn't a noble one.

 

[Hasan123]

Yes, correct.

Disagree. Renshaw is a brilliant opener. Khawaja and Marsh know how to score in Australia.

 

[Junaids]

Disagree. Renshaw is a brilliant opener. Khawaja and Marsh know how to score in Australia.

Renshaw isn't even in the team currently.

If Khawaja is fit...….which is a big "if".....then the line-up looks likely to be:

1. Aaron Finch
2. Matt Renshaw
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

In other words, the tail starts after number 3!

 

[warcry]

I think india should win comfortably in australia. Then again, i expected india to win comfortably in england as well, and we all know how that turned out.

somewhere, some unknown (like Curran) will probably become a hero and win the series for australia.

 

[Hasan123]

Renshaw isn't even in the team currently.

If Khawaja is fit...….which is a big "if".....then the line-up looks likely to be:

1. Aaron Finch
2. Matt Renshaw
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

In other words, the tail starts after number 3!

Who would you select then?

 

[BreadPakoda]

Australian batting is weak; however even their mediocre batsmen thrive on their roads. On the other hand, their bowling unit is exceptional this time around. India would struggle as Kohli is the only quality batsman they have in overseas conditions.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

Renshaw isn't even in the team currently.

If Khawaja is fit...….which is a big "if".....then the line-up looks likely to be:

1. Aaron Finch
2. Matt Renshaw
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

In other words, the tail starts after number 3!

It's a bit tough on Josh because he knows which end of the bat to hold. Maybe move him upto 4 but then who'll bowl all these overs.

Decisions decisions.

 

[the_outsider]

Coming back to the OP, this current Australian team certainly has the weakest batting lineup they have had in decades. But at the same time, this is also the best bowling lineup they have had in a decade now.

Still, India really don't have any excuse to not - at the very least - come out with a draw. But anything less than series win should really disappoint this team.

 

[Zahid87]

In answer to the original question...perhaps.

Don't forget, India have failed on their recent tours of South Africa and England...

Batting wise, do India have the capability to deal with the Aussie bowlers on pitches with a bit of bounce and carry...again, the only batsmen in the current line up which has had any success in Australia is Kohli. The rest - Dhawan, Rahane, Dhoni, etc have failed.

Bowling wise...do they have the bowlers to be effective in Australia? Again, jury's out. Kumar is a swing bowler....Shami, I guess the same. Ishant Sharma has the potential to be useful...but same has been said for years. Also, Ashwin hasn't ever done anything down under.

Losing Warner and Smith are big blows...and if they aren't back in time for the series, the batting line ups look even. But bowling wise, Australia are pretty useful. Cummins, Hazelwood, Starc, Pattinson and Lyon will get 20 wickets a game. Can't say the same for India.

And in their own conditions, against an Asian team, I would back Australia 9 time out of 10 to get the job done.

 

[Pakhs]

I dont want to under play india's achievement in advance if they win but yes this is definitely the best chance for any team anywhere in the world to win a series in Australia. Growing up I never thought I will ever see Australia as weak as they are now.

 

[Junaids]

Renshaw isn't even in the team currently.

If Khawaja is fit...….which is a big "if".....then the line-up looks likely to be:

1. Aaron Finch
2. Matt Renshaw
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

In other words, the tail starts after number 3!

Who would you select then?

Steve Smith and David Warner.

 

[Hasan123]

Steve Smith and David Warner.

Any chance of them returning for the series ?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Khawaja will submit the "Indian trundler brigade"®

Ok, jokes aside, this has to be it for India. Bowlers are taking 20 wickets overseas, VK is smashing 100s like there is no tomorrow. Rest of bowling unit must put the hard yards in and India can do what no other SC has ever done. Damn.

 

[skhe8057]

true

best chance for any side

- england will defeat aussie . too much batting depth
- india - can defeat if openers perform. shaw is the key along with rahul and vijay ( i would pick shaw vijay rahul kohli and rohit along with pant jadeja ashwin bumrah shami and ishant)
- pak . unpredictable at best . dont seem to have recent success in test matches outside of uae. also no bowler of akhtar class or saqlain class but they form a good unit . 1-2 in aussie favor
- sa chokers in aus , will win only at home
- bangladesh , wi , sl - are u kidding me
nz - can draw and even win . most underrated but perhaps on par with india and only inferior to england

does not matter if smith or warner are not present . teams that win abroad are able to put runs on board - england and even india have the ability .

but......south africa havent lost to Australia in Australia for more than five years. SA. dont choke in test matches

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Yes but India won't win. Australia know how to get runs in their conditions.

India might win 1 Test.

 

[happydavy]

Would India win the series, the simple answer to that question is NO. India ain't winning a test series in Australia. Doesn't matter how weak Australian batting order is, it will be still be good enough to win or draw test matches against India in Australia. People often forget how terrible India batting line up is. Pujara/Rahane/2 openers, these guys can't score anything and Kohli cant score 4 centuries on every tour.

 

[ind_win]

Pujara is hopeless in non-asian conditions. I was having high hopes of him scoring runs in Eng. He is on his way to being a mediocre batsman out of asia. Rahane is "talented", the same way rohit was " talented" for 7 years. And vijay, if he plays will be worse than dhawan. I would move have shaw opening, rahul to go with him.pujara at 3(being his last tour), kohli 4, vihari 5, pant6, pandya 7, jadeja 8, shami , ishant, bumrah forming the rest. This team should win the series.

 

[Slog]

Please let's not pretend. You highlighted "ANY" in your title in all caps for a reason. And it certainly wasn't a noble one.

Clearly English isn’t your forte

I’m praising india here by acknowledging that this is arguably best chance for any Asian side ever

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Renshaw isn't even in the team currently.

If Khawaja is fit...….which is a big "if".....then the line-up looks likely to be:

1. Aaron Finch
2. Matt Renshaw
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Tim Paine
8. Pat Cummins
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

In other words, the tail starts after number 3!

Actually thats a terrific line-up and would whitewash most Asian teams in Aust. But yes, due to sheer class a d quality of players India will give a good fight. Otherwise, a bowling attack of Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood is enough to whitewash Pak, SL and BD.

 

[Napa]

Well said. The last time England toured India, some random yadav scored a hundred and Karun scored 300. They are no where to be seen now.

If my memory serves me right, it was against the English that Karun scored 300+.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Actually thats a terrific line-up and would whitewash most Asian teams in Aust. But yes, due to sheer class a d quality of players India will give a good fight. Otherwise, a bowling attack of Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood is enough to whitewash Pak, SL and BD.

Stick to Indian cricket. We all know what happened to India on dry pitches in England. Whereas we on damp pitches got a draw.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Very limited chances. Build up to the first test will almost follow what happened in England earlier. Not enough practice games, not enough time ro acclimatise or stay together as a squad all leading to muddled up 11 selection for first test and from then on catch up to stay relevant in series.

I totally expect Finch, Khawaja and Marsh bros to be very prolific in the series. Our best hope will be out and out bowling pitches by Cricket Australia for all 4 tests. My prediction is 2-1 or 3-1 series win to Australia.

 

[the_outsider]

Stick to Indian cricket. We all know what happened to India on dry pitches in England. Whereas we on damp pitches got a draw.

Good luck finding damp pitches and overcast conditions in Australia. Explains Pakistan's 0-12 scoreline in Australia from the last 23 years.

 

[ind_win]

If bowling-friendly pitches are prepared it might go either way, toss is not going to be as crucial as in Eng - although it might give some head-start to the winning team but not much - as pitches are true in bounce and seam movement if encountered for the first 5-10 overs by a batsman could fetch him 50-75 at least, unlike Eng where no batsman is sure when his time would come.

Scorelines of 275+ would be good, 300+ match winning.

 

[the_outsider]

Clearly English isn’t your forte

I’m praising india here by acknowledging that this is arguably the best chance for any Asian side ever.

Fixed your English for you.

It certainly is the best chance for India. But that doesn't mean PAK/SL/BD can win even if they tour now. They would still lose the series. So "ANY Asian" is just piggybacking.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Fixed your English for you.

It certainly is the best chance for India. But that doesn't mean PAK/SL/BD can win even if they tour now. They would still lose the series. So "ANY Asian" is just piggybacking.

India will also lose this series. Not sure where's the indiciation that the result would be anything different?

 

[goran]

Indian test team is way overrated. They are a bunch of HTBs. Most of their home victories have come on heavily doctored pitches. They have sent their strongest teams to Australia in the past but were never able to beat them. I don't see any reason why this tour would be any different despite the absence of Smith and Warner. A painful and disastrous tour awaits India down under.

 

[rhony]

If my memory serves me right, it was against the English that Karun scored 300+.

That's what I said

 

[Third Man]

Fixed your English for you.

It certainly is the best chance for India. But that doesn't mean PAK/SL/BD can win even if they tour now. They would still lose the series. So "ANY Asian" is just piggybacking.

Let me explain what he means here. "This is the best chance that any touring asian side has ever had against Australia". In other words, never has an Asian team (meaning india in this case) been in a better position to beat the Aussies in Australia. In other words, this current Indian team should beat Australia.

Does that in any way suggests that Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sril Lanka will win if they tour Australia?

Gosh, you guys can sometimes be very insecure!

 

[Balthazar]

It's funny how OP is including other lowly-ranked Asian teams with this Indian team. Under Kohli, we enter each series as favorites because we are the best in this era.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

It's funny how OP is including other lowly-ranked Asian teams with this Indian team. Under Kohli, we enter each series as favorites because we are the best in this era.

Oh was England 2018 not in this era then?

Ignorance.

Indians really do make themselves look foolish too often.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Good luck finding damp pitches and overcast conditions in Australia. Explains Pakistan's 0-12 scoreline in Australia from the last 23 years.

Lol how many posts can you not comprehend in one thread?

 

[troodon]

Even without Smith and Warner, Aus bowling attack can skittle Indian batting easily.

Hazlewood/Starc/Cummins/Lyon are a massive force in their own conditions.

Indian batting has to be on top form to win the series.

 

[rhony]

Oh was England 2018 not in this era then?

Ignorance.

Indians really do make themselves look foolish too often.

Yes. Pakistan drew the series in England and it was a great achievement. They won one game. Indian won one game in Eng as well. Does this mean Pak would have lost the series if they played 5 games? Who knows? It's just that the ceiling of Asian teams in SENA at best is winning one game. India has been hitting that ceiling consistently compared to other Asian sides and are the better side.

 

[rhony]

Even the losses in SENA have been competitive barring the Lord's test. The last time India toured SA, they won one, lost a close game. In AUS, they drew 2 games and lost one by 40runs which was actually a much closer game then the one they lost by 4 wickets. The Eng series was very competitive barring the Lord's test. This Indian team has been competitive compared to other Asian teams abroad and are unbeatable at home. Similar to the Aussie team a few years ago under Smith. Aussies could win in familiar conditions in SA and are competitive and could win Eng, NZ. They are competitive to a certain extent in Asia but would lose the series against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. They even lost a test to BD.

This is the reason why India has been the number 1 test team. Every team is weak abroad but Indians have been more competitive than the rest. I believe they can compete again in AUS but won't win the series for the same reason

 

[MMHS]

Definitely best chance since mid 1980s. I think, IND was robbed by Aussies umpires (& rain) in 1986 Series there.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Yes. Pakistan drew the series in England and it was a great achievement. They won one game. Indian won one game in Eng as well. Does this mean Pak would have lost the series if they played 5 games? Who knows? It's just that the ceiling of Asian teams in SENA at best is winning one game. India has been hitting that ceiling consistently compared to other Asian sides and are the better side.

2016 when we won 2 games, woh kya kabaadi thee?

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Definitely best chance since mid 1980s. I think, IND was robbed by Aussies umpires (& rain) in 1986 Series there.

Well we would have won in 1999 but for elite honesty by Mr Langer

 

[rhony]

2016 when we won 2 games, woh kya kabaadi thee?

I'm talking about the most recent series. Also, things have changed after 2016. IIRC, Pak was no.1 test team then and they've been losing at home too after Misbah and Younis retired.

 

[MMHS]

Well we would have won in 1999 but for elite honesty by Mr Langer

May be the Hobart Test, but not that series - AUS won 1st Test by 9 wickets, 3rd Test by innings.

And, that 3rd Test was at WACA - even fantasy has a limit (you can check PAK's Test record at WACA, including 1979 Packer reject AUS one). If I am not wrong, 1981 earned PAK their lowest total of 62, 1984 earned an innings defect in 3 days, 1999 one innings defeat in 4 days and 2005 one by 500 runs with a 4th innings of 72

AUS is to good at home - unless Cricket as a game goes down in the packing order (of popular sports), another 70 years, and still we (our next gen) might be waiting for an Asian side to win a Test series there

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't know why people are completely writing off Australia because of their recent ODI and Test form. a) They are an unbalanced ODI side without Smith and Warner, b) They are always lose in Asia and c) they still have a very capable batting line-up for Australian conditions.

And though Indian batting is comfortably ahead of Australia, Australia still have the edge because while both teams have batsmen capable of piling on big match-winning totals only Australia (and South Africa) have a bowling attack that knows how to win matches in these conditions. And that for me, could be the deciding factor in this series. India have many reasons to be positive but I fail to see a scenario in which their pacers won't get smacked around regularly. If Indian bowlers can't find a way to get Australia out for under 400 on a regular basis not even miracles from Kohli can win them the series.

 

[GrandMaster]

India is high on confidence whereas Australia is still building up after the ball-tampering saga. It's won't be easy for India but quite possible to win the series in Australia this time, as far the duo VIRAVI picks up the right playing 11.

 

[szrana]

It's funny how OP is including other lowly-ranked Asian teams with this Indian team. Under Kohli, we enter each series as favorites because we are the best in this era.

Yeah, a team which has a grand total of 4 test wins out of 32 matches in SENA countries since 2010 are favorites to win in Aus.In comparison lowly Pak has won 6 out of 22. Talk about delusions,lol

 

[szrana]

May be the Hobart Test, but not that series - AUS won 1st Test by 9 wickets, 3rd Test by innings.

And, that 3rd Test was at WACA - even fantasy has a limit (you can check PAK's Test record at WACA, including 1979 Packer reject AUS one). If I am not wrong, 1981 earned PAK their lowest total of 62, 1984 earned an innings defect in 3 days, 1999 one innings defeat in 4 days and 2005 one by 500 runs with a 4th innings of 72

AUS is to good at home - unless Cricket as a game goes down in the packing order (of popular sports), another 70 years, and still we (our next gen) might be waiting for an Asian side to win a Test series there

You are reading too much into the 3rd test's result. Pakistan was mentally demoralized after the manner in which they lost the Hobart test.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

People also have a tendency for overrating the Indian batting which btw is highly overrated. You have Pujara whose average is highly padded by his stats in Asia and performs once in a blue-moon outside Asia. Rahane who after his terrific initial form overseas is now fading into a very bad slump. Vijay who is badly out of form, on his last straw and probably only retained his place because of his previous record in Australia. Rahul, whose seriously struggling with consistency and Pant, whose technique could be easily sliced upon by Starc and Hazelwood.

The two batsmen who I actually see succeeding in this series are Kohli and Rohit. Kohli because he's Kohli and Rohit because he's gotten very good against pace and bounce since the last time he toured and I can't imagine a better place for him to bat than Australia where the ball does not swing as much as England, New Zealand or South Africa.

 

[MMHS]

You are reading too much into the 3rd test's result. Pakistan was mentally demoralized after the manner in which they lost the Hobart test.

I knew this was coming actually, hence that extra few lines in initial post.

May be, putting the situation in that perspective should make me quite popular in PP, but don't you think after what I have written in 2nd para, still going into "demoralize" route should make me a bit stupid here - lots of knowledgeable posters do read my posts and their good judgement can overcome their emotions.

 

[Hasan2K8]

It’s the best chance they’ got. But I doubt they’ll win it. It’s mostly to be a draw!

 

[szrana]

I knew this was coming actually, hence that extra few lines in initial post.

May be, putting the situation in that perspective should make me quite popular in PP, but don't you think after what I have written in 2nd para, still going into "demoralize" route should make me a bit stupid here - lots of knowledgeable posters do read my posts and their good judgement can overcome their emotions.

I know Pakistan has a poor record at the WACA, but 1-1 going to the decider meant it was anybody's game. Shoaib was bowling quickest at that time. Pakistan could have upped their game when it mattered the most, just like West Indies did in 1992/93 after winning in Adelaide by a single run and then Ambrose destroyed Aus at the WACA.

 

[MMHS]

I know Pakistan has a poor record at the WACA, but 1-1 going to the decider meant it was anybody's game. Shoaib was bowling quickest at that time. Pakistan could have upped their game when it mattered the most, just like West Indies did in 1992/93 after winning in Adelaide by a single run and then Ambrose destroyed Aus at the WACA.

Shoaib had a poor game at WACA, and there is a big gap between AUS of 1992 & 1999. And, WIN at WACA is exactly opposite of PAK there - even that 1975 team won only Test (in a 1-5 loss), by innings at WACA, and before 2000s, AUS best result at WACA against WIN was to make 1988 Test into Day 5. 5-0 till 2000, including 3 innings wins, one 10 wicket win and the 1988 one, when they won by a small margin of 170 runs.

In any considerations, I don't see PAK making any fight with that AUS at WACA, in fact any AUS - MCG/SCG/Adelaide - may be, but no way WACA. I can put it other way also - AUS won the series and released pressure on gas, still won by innings.

 

[the_outsider]

Let me explain what he means here. "This is the best chance that any touring asian side has ever had against Australia". In other words, never has an Asian team (meaning india in this case) been in a better position to beat the Aussies in Australia. In other words, this current Indian team should beat Australia.

Does that in any way suggests that Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sril Lanka will win if they tour Australia?

Gosh, you guys can sometimes be very insecure!

If that's what OP means then he is wrong. Because Australia's team of the late 70s/early 80s was the weakest it's ever been. Imran's Pakistan made two tours during that period, in 1978 and then in 1981. And Pak was the strongest Asian team then.

So to answer OP's question, no it was not. Tours of 1978 and 1981 were the 2 best chances for an Asian team to beat Australia in Australia.

 

[the_outsider]

India will also lose this series. Not sure where's the indiciation that the result would be anything different?

Definitely possible that India will also lose. They might win, though. But the same can't be said for any other Asian team at this point. No other Asian team can beat this Australian side in Australia.

 

[Ami]

Nice thread...liked where it was going in the initial post...
But bigotory spolit it.
Nevermind@Slog.

 

[the_outsider]

Lol how many posts can you not comprehend in one thread?

You're the one who's struggling mate. You responded to [MENTION=147347]Canford Cliffs[/MENTION] on his post about tests in Australia by talking about pitches of England. And then to top it off you managed to link all of that with Pak's performance on damp English pitches.

Justifying your stance about a debate about tests on flat Aus wickets by giving an example of performance on a damp English seamer. Fantastic!

 

[Ozeirk]

What defensive. Pakistan would be whitewashed again if they were to tour. As for India, they have as good a chance as England. So using "Asia" is clearly inaccurate as it implies lowly ranked teams like Pak and SL stand a similar chance.

India the so called “best team in Asia” has lost their last away series against NZ, Aus, SA and Eng while Pakistan have drawn their series against England last time they played them. I don’t see how this all adds up to Indian being a better touring side than Pakistan?

 

[Ozeirk]

It's funny how OP is including other lowly-ranked Asian teams with this Indian team. Under Kohli, we enter each series as favorites because we are the best in this era.

How come the best team in this era has lost all their away series against Australia, Nz, sa and eng?