Virat Kohli's crack Indian outfit has not been challenged since the Champions Trophy on June 18 when they were beaten by Pakistan at the Oval by a massive margin of 180 runs
Virat Kohli. Pic/PTI
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Virat Kohli's crack Indian outfit has not been challenged since the Champions Trophy on June 18 when they were beaten by Pakistan at the Oval by a massive margin of 180 runs. Over the last three months, they have annihilated Sri Lanka and apart from a rare blunder in the West Indies, they have looked invincible.
Winning is a habit
The team deserve full credit for creating a winning culture, but with so many matches coming up overseas India will be hoping the Australians provide them stiff competition in the forthcoming ODI series. Kohli has talked about experimenting to ensure players are tested in crunch situations, but in all likelihood this Australian series will push each player out of his comfort zone. The first ODI will be held here on Sunday. The Australians might have an appalling record on the sub-continent in Test cricket, but their statistics are impressive in the shorter format of the game.
Aussies were on top in Lanka
Last year on pitches that were doctored to suit the Sri Lankan spinners, they won the ODI series 4-1, that too without their skipper Steve Smith. Over the last decade, Australia have won 10 and lost nine matches in India. Even in their last series they pushed India to the brink before a masterful double century by Rohit Sharma stopped them from winning another series on Indian soil. The Indian opener has amassed 1297 runs at 68.26 with five centuries against the men from Down Under.
"Somehow I have really managed well against these guys. Australia is a very strong opposition and to have that sort of performance these guys makes me feel good," said Rohit. With Sri Lanka set to visit Indian shores again after the Australia series, this series might prove to be just the type of competition India need.