First opportunity for India to dominate Aussies in their own backyard, says Michael Clarke

The Australian cricketers are probably having one of the worst seasons of their career as they attempt to pick themselves up from the ashes of the ‘Sandpapergate’ incident that occurred earlier this year. The loss of skipper Steven Smith and David Warner is clearly evident in the recent results of the national team. At this crucial period, a series against a high-flying team like India can either make a team, or break it.

And former Australian skipper, Michael Clarke, is of the opinion that the Indians led by the in-form Virat Kohli,  will certainly be gunning for victory as the head to foreign land for an intense series which involved three T20I’s, four Test matches and three One-dayers.

“Both teams are looking to win but India is in some great form and in my opinion it’s India’s first opportunity to dominate Australia in their own backyard,” Clarke told TOI in an exclusive interview by Sony, the official broadcasters of the series.

Ever since India started touring Australia in 1947, they have never been able to outplay the Aussies on home soil. They have won only five and drawn 11 out of 44 Test matches that they have played in Australia. However, with the current situation of Australian cricket up in flames, Virat Kohli & Co. will look to strike while the iron is hot and make the most of this opportunity.

Clarke also added that this could be the first time that India can clinch a series win down under. In the absence of the duo of Warner-Smith, the Aussies have simply failed to live up to expectations as they crumbled against the likes of Pakistan, South Africa and England in recent months. 

India will take on Tim Paine & Co. in the first match of the tour which will be a T20I at the Gabba in Brisbane on Wednesday. The Test series against the Aussies will begin on on December 6 while the ODI series is scheduled to start on on January 12.