Australia expect fast bowlers to leave their mark on India Test series

Four-Test series between top-ranked teams begins in Nagpur on Thursday

Australia captain Pat Cummins speaks to the media in Bengaluru on Saturday, February 4, 2023. AP

India and Australia - the top two ranked teams in Test cricket - are about to get into a titanic battle over fourth Tests, the first of which starts in Nagpur on Thursday, and spin is on top of both team's minds.

Australia have not won a Test series in India since 2004 and no visiting team has won a red-ball series in India since England in 2012. The slow surfaces in the country, along with wily spin bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and, more recently, Axar Patel - have made India almost invincible at home.

However, fast bowlers have had their moments, making use of reverse swing on offer. Pacers like Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Siraj being the most prominent names to do so.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins said he expects a hard slog leading the tourists' pace attack but said he was excited for the looming showdown in the Border Gavaskar Trophy between the two teams most likely to also contest in the World Test Championship final in June.

"Coming here to India, a lot of the talk is around big spinning wickets, maybe fast Test matches, but it's not always the case," he told reporters.

"You need to get into the grind at times," he added. "That role as a fast bowler may be just bowling plenty of overs for not a heap of reward, but doing your job for the team.

"I really enjoyed that aspect of the last tour. There's always plenty of people watching, so lots to play for."

Earlier, wicketkeeper Alex Carey said while Australia are prepared for a trial by spin in India, they fully recognise the threat reverse swing may pose in the four-Test series against Rohit Sharma's team.

Australia batsmen practised on a scuffed-up pitch in Sydney before flying to India and have since gathered a group of local spinners for their net sessions near Bengaluru, having decided against playing any warm-up matches.

Carey is set to play his first Test in India and the 31-year-old said Australia were not oblivious to other threats lurking in spin-friendly conditions.

"Going to Pakistan, it was a lot of spin talk, and I found the reversing ball difficult," Carey said about the tour last year.

"When I played a four-day game here in 2018 a lot of talk was about spin and you probably forget a little bit about how damaging both teams' fast bowlers are with a reversing ball, and on wicket that might be a little bit up and down."

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  Rishabh Pant celebrates victory with his India teammates after Day 5 of the 4th Test against Australia. Getty

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  Rishabh Pant celebrates with teammates after India win the fourth Test and the series against Australia. EPA

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  Fans cheer during day five of the 4th Test Match between Australia and India at The Gabba. Getty Images

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  Australia paceman Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. AFP

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  Rishabh Pant falls as he hits the ball for four runs . AP

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  Rishabh Pant of India bats during day five of the 4th Test. Getty Images

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  India's Washington Sundar avoids a bouncer during play on the final day. AP

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  Pat Cummins bowls during day five of the 4th Test. Getty

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  Pat Cummins looks frustrated after Washington Sundar hits a six during day five of the 4th Test. Getty Images

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  Washington Sundar hits the ball over the boundary for a six during day five of the 4th Test. Getty Images

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  Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne celebrate the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. AFP

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  Australia's Nathan Lyon dives to grab the ball as India's batsman Cheteshwar Pujara looks on. AFP

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  India batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant run between the wickets. AFP

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  Pat Cummins celebrates with teammates after getting the wicket of Mayank Agarwal. EPA