Aussies raring to go, but no one fancies them

– Steve Smith’s Australia have the chance of halting India’s Test juggernaut in a series between the world’s top two sides starting this week which promises to be yet another feisty encounter between the arch rivals.

After India stretched their unbeaten run to 19 Tests this month, several former stars predicted another whitewash against Australia who have a miserable recent record on the sub-continent.

Australia meanwhile have been unusually respectful of their opponents in the build-up, but Smith expects his team to greet India with a barrage of sledging

Pune

when the series begins in Pune tomorrow.

“The guys are in a great frame of mind, we’re ready to go. We’re pumped,” vice-captain David Warner (right) said after Australia drew a weekend warm-up against India A.

Australia have a chance of knocking India off the top of the Test rankings, but Virat Kohli’s men have won their last six series and are overwhelming favourites.

Australia’s last tour of India in 2013 under captain Michael Clarke was a disaster as they lost 4-0 and four of the team were sent home after refusing to do homework set by coach Mickey Arthur.

Team spirit has recovered under Smith’s captaincy, but they were thrashed 3-0 last year in Sri Lanka when their shortcomings against spin were exposed along with their lack of a match-winning slow bowler.

While their former paceman Glenn McGrath used to be notorious for getting up the opposition’s nose by forecasting clean sweeps, Australia have been getting a taste of their own medicine.

India’s ex-captain Sourav Ganguly has predicted a 4-0 win for the hosts, while veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has called Smith’s team the weakest ever Australian squad.

Indian confidence is largely founded on the form of skipper Kohli who has hit four double centuries since July.

They also possess the best bowler in the world in Ravichandran Ashwin whom McGrath’s old captain Steve Waugh recently branded the “Bradman of Bowling”, the ultimate compliment from an Australian.

Kohli’s recent form has also drawn comparisons with the great Don Bradman, who averaged 99.94 in Tests, but never played in India. –