Make no mistake, winning a Test series in India is the hardest challenge in cricket. Only Andrew Strauss’ England, who are increasingly becoming an underrated team as the years roll by, have conquered this formidable terrain in the last 18 years.
Winning the famous Ashes series in England, another bogey for Australia, might receive much more attention but beating India in their comforts will ascend Pat Cummins’ team to greatness level.
The seamer-friendly surfaces in England have proven a thorn for Australia, an even longer series winning drought than in India, but the spinning, dusty decks of India have caused some of their darkest ever moments.
Even their all-time greats have not been immune. Legendary legspinner Shane Warne was memorably thumped by rival Sachin…