India in Australia: The Ultimate Guide to the Tourists' Fight at Adelaide

India's overseas Test record in the recent past is quite unimpressive. Australia is no exception as the team has crumbled on the fast, bouncy tracks here with remarkable consistency. And yet, a look at their previous matches show that Adelaide - venue for the 1st Test  - will be a like a home away from home come Tuesday. (Match preview | Complete coverage from India's Tour)

 

With memories of a 4-0 whitewash threatening to pull down the tourists, Team India can take inspiration from their past performances in Adelaide. With a win, a draw and a loss in their previous three Tests here, Adelaide Oval has been more accommodating to the Indian players than any other venue in Australia. That the track here is one of the slowest and one with relatively low bounce - when compared to other Australian pitches, means that Indian batsmen have found batting relatively easier here. (Approaching milestones from the series)

 

Batting may not have powered India in their last Test here. In 2012, Aussies piled on 604 and 167/5 to defeat India (272 and 201)  by 298 runs. Virat Kohli, who will lead India in the first Test, had hit a gritty century but failed to rescue his team. (Knowing Adelaide conditions will help India, says Rohit Sharma)

 

In the two Tests before this, India had made good use of conditions. In 2008, Sachin Tendulkar had struck a century to help India (526 and 269/7) to ensure a draw with Australia (563). It was a match in which Mitchell Johnson - Australia's feared pacer who has already promised barrage of bouncers in the upcoming series - made full use of his height to intimidate the opposition.

 

Rewind back to the memorable 2003 Test.  India (523 and 233) defeated Australia (556 and 196) by four wickets. Veterans  Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman both hit tons and added over 300 runs to play an important role in the victory. (Shane Watson expects Clarke to hit a ton to honour Hughes)

 

The current team may not have the services of many experienced campaigners but it has the thirst to play for wins. Apart from a slightly favourable track, Adelaide Oval is actually oval-shaped which makes hitting the ball square of the wicket quite easy. With batting still as India's biggest strength, the team would look to silence Aussie bowlers right at the start and hope to maintain pressure through the course of the four-Test series. Of course, Michael Clarke is fit to play and his record here is remarkable - he averages 98.38 with 1279 runs (six centuries) in nine Tests.