Ravi Shastri makes bold prediction ahead of India vs Australia Test series

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Former India coach Ravi Shastri has given his prediction for the upcoming Test series between India and Australia later this year.

Shastri is confident that his former team will maintain their dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and defeat Australia in the series. India has held onto the coveted trophy since 2015, winning the last two Test series down under.

Australia managed to defeat India in the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval last year. However, Shastri believes Pat Cummins' side will be eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during their five-match series starting in November.

Shastri emphasised that India's batting will be crucial if they want to retain the trophy. He pointed out that while India won the most recent Test series in Australia 2-1, their batting struggled at times, especially when they were bowled out for just 36 in Adelaide's pink-ball Test.

"The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia over five Test matches is going to be a humdinger. Remember, India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours and Australia have not had a hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade," Shastri told ICC in an interview.

Shastri knows that Australia will be seeking revenge after losing consecutive home series against India. He expects them to come out aggressively, especially with their strong fast bowling line-up ready to challenge India's batters across the five-match series.

"We know what Australia will be wanting (revenge). They will be thirsty, they'd be looking to go at the throats of the Indians because they've been beaten there (in Australia) twice," he added.

Shastri anticipates several exciting one-on-one battles between top players from both teams throughout the series. He believes that the team winning more of these head-to-head encounters will likely come out on top.

"It's going to be India's batting against the Australian fast bowlers," Shastri suggested. "And of course, the Indian bowling attack is going to be something everyone will be waiting to see."

With key bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami fit, along with strong bench strength, Shastri is optimistic about India's chances and believes the Indian team can complete a hat-trick of series win in Australia.

"It is going to be one heck of a series and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they've got their bowlers fit and if they can bat well, they can tickle (beat) Australia once again," Shastri concluded.