3 Key Player Showdowns In IND Vs AUS, 1st Test At Perth

Cummins Vs Kohli could decide the fate of the match [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.Com]

The India Vs Australia Test series is just around the corner and the two sides are geared up to collide in a riveting Test battle commencing at the Perth Stadium from November 22. The Indian side lost their last Test series against the Kiwis and will be eager to get back to winning ways in Perth.

However, the contest won't be easy for the Indian side as they'll face a stern test against the Aussies. Ahead of the 1st Test match in Perth, we look at 3 key player battles which could potentially decide the fate of the match.

3) Pat Cummins Vs Virat Kohli

The battle between India's best batter Vs Australia's best bowler - this battle will decide the fate of the Perth Test. By the looks of it, Cummins has the upper hand over Kohli. The Indian superstar has just scored 96 runs in 269 balls, but the Aussie captain has managed to dismiss him 5 times.

Also, Kohli has an average of just 19.2 against Cummins which shows that the Australian speedster has dominated the Indian legend. However, if India are to win the Test, Kohli needs to be at his best against Patrick Cummins.

2) R Ashwin Vs Steve Smith

Another tactical battle which could decide the outcome in Perth. However, unlike Kohli and Cummins, this is an even contest with both Smith and Ashwin dominating each other in tandems.

Steve Smith has scored 434 runs against Ashwin and also has an average of 54.2. However, the India spinner has also dismissed him 8 times, showcasing that the contest is relatively even. If Smith dominates Ashwin, the momentum will swing in Australia's favour, and if the India spinner gets the upper hand, the momentum will once again jump towards India.

1) Nathan Lyon Vs Rishabh Pant

The showdown between Australia's wily Lyon and India's maverick Pant. In cricket, we say off-spinners tend to dominate the left-handed batters, but Pant is not like any other left-hander. He tends to dominate everyone and has aa special liking towards Lyon.

In the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series, Rishabh Pant dominated the proceedings against Lyon, however, Lyon also had his fair share of joyous moments. In Tests, the Aussie spinner has knocked over Pant 5 times, and 4 out of the 5 came in the 2018 series.

How the Indian keeper will tackle the finger spinner will be crucial and could be a potential decider between a win and a loss for India.

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