India is set to travel to Australia for a highly anticipated five-match Test series later this year. Australia has not defeated India in a Test series since the 2014/15 season, where they won 2-0. Since then, the Men in Blue have claimed victory in the last two series on Australian soil (2020/21 and 2018/19) and have also dominated Australia at home, winning in 2017 and 2023.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has predicted another series win for India, forecasting a 3-1 victory. "It’s going to be an exciting series for sure with the talent on both sides, and it will also demonstrate why Test cricket is the ultimate format of our beloved game. My prediction is a 3-1 win for India," Gavaskar wrote in his column for the *Mid-Day*.
Gavaskar cited Australia's vulnerabilities, particularly in their opening batting, which has worsened with David Warner's retirement. He noted that Australia's middle order is also somewhat unstable, making them "ripe for the taking" by India.
However, Gavaskar also expressed concern about India's tendency to start slowly in overseas series, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. "The first Test will be crucial, especially since India isn't playing proper first-class games before the series or during the week-long gaps between some Test matches," Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar emphasised that this scheduling challenge is not unique to India, as most touring teams face similar issues today. He referenced Yashasvi Jaiswal's struggles in South Africa last year due to the lack of first-class experience, though Jaiswal made a strong comeback with over 700 runs against England at home.
India will return to Australia for the first time since the 1991-92 series, with the first Test scheduled at Perth Stadium from November 22-26. The second Test, a day-night pink-ball match, will take place in the first week of December at the Adelaide Oval. The series will continue with the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30, 2024, and will conclude with the fifth Test in Sydney in January 2025.