India begin the first test in Australia on December 26, 2011 and will be favourites to win their first ever test series down under. Here are four reasons why I think India will win the series comfortably:

1. Batting:

There’s simply no comparison between the two sides when it comes to batting. With Sehwag and Gambhir fully recovered from the injury tat had haunted them in England, India are back to full strength in batting. With Kohli coming good against the West Indies, there is no perceptible weak spot. And Ashwin’s maiden century against the West Indies gives the batting depth. As opposed to the Indian batting, Australia have floundered against both South Africa and New Zealand, having been bowled out for less than a hundred. With Ponting and Hussey struggling for form, their batting woes have been compounded.

2. Bowling:

The West Indies series was a test of strength for the young Indian bowling line up in the absence of spearhead Zaheer Khan. And the bowlers stood up to be counted, whether it was Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav or Varun Aaron or Ojha or Ashwin. Both spinners have worked themselves into good rhythm and that could spell trouble for the Aussie batsmen with their known weakness against the turning ball. With the possible return of Zaheer Khan to the side, the Indian bowlers will look forward to doing battle with the Aussies. The Australian bowling has been weakened by the absence through injury of Doug Bollinger, although in Pattinson they have an exciting new discovery. But I’d like to wait and see whether Pattinson’s nerve will hold up when he bowls to the likes of Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar.
Read the rest of this entry »