Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene predicts a thrilling series between India and Australia and believes the Baggy Greens can break the deadlock during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy battle.
Australia and India currently hold the top two positions in the ICC Men's Test Rankings. In addition, the two fierce rivals lead the ICC World Test Championship standings and are in position to qualify for the final.
The Australian team has not won on Indian soil since 2004, but Jayawardene believes Pat Cummins' team can go all the way this time.
"I believe it will always be a fantastic series. I'm thinking about Indian conditions and how the Australian batsmen deal with them, because they have a really good bowling unit, and how the Indian batsmen deal with it... It all depends on how each team begins the series and who has the momentum. However, it will be fascinating "Jayawardene stated this in the most recent episode of The ICC Review.
"It's difficult to predict, but as a Sri Lankan, I'm hoping Australia can win it all. Australia will most likely win 2-1, but it will be a tough one "He went on to say.
Shubhman Gill's stunning form in white-ball cricket has given India a huge boost in the shorter formats, and Jayawardene believed the youngster could have a similar impact in red-ball cricket.
"He's been very good, he's very technically sound, and he's a good pace player," he said. "That'll keep him in good stead against that Australian attack, but it's always going to be tough and it will be a very good series.
"He's in great form right now, and if he can translate that into red-ball cricket and maintain that tempo, maturity, and understanding of situations and conditions, he'll be a valuable asset at the top of India's batting order. He does provide them with those good starts at a good tempo that puts opposing bowling attacks under pressure "The Sri Lankan went on to say.
The first Test of Australia's four-match tour of India is scheduled for February 9 in Nagpur.