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India vs Australia: 1st Test Preview

The most important test series for some time will go underway tomorrow at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore as India host Australia in the first of the four test Border Gavaskar Trophy 2008.

The stadium hasn’t been so lucky for India in the recent past, the home team having failed to win a test here for quite some time now. But they will be looking to reverse that trend especially since the Australian team is in a rebuilding process and is quite weakened. Brett Lee, who has not played much test cricket in India, is their most experienced bowler while the spinners are not being perceived as a threat. The batting is circumspect against spin, as Ricky Ponting, their mainstay is inept against Bhajji and other spinners. The Aussies were not convincing in their match at Hyderabad but expect a more determined effort when the test gets underway.

For the Indians, the talking point ahead of the series will be the retirement announcement of Sourav Ganguly that this will be his last series. There is also talk now that skipper Anil Kumble may also bid farewell at the end of the series. That will reduce the ‘Fab Five to Fab Three’ and it indeed will be a sad day for Indian cricket. On a more auspicious note though India start favourites against the visitors and they will be at full strength, ready to take on the world champions.

Tags: anil kumble, Australia, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, brett lee, chinnaswamy stadium, India, ricky ponting, sourav ganguly