Have to curb Smith, Warner’s natural instincts – Ashwin

After the ICC had rated the Nagpur pitch for the India-South Africa Test poor [the game finished inside three days], India’s home Tests over the last year-and-a-half have featured few surfaces that offer excess turn from the start with variable bounce. He took the new ball in 81st over only.

As expected, frontline spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe will given a chance to bowl long spells in Mumbai. A year ago the Lankans used this weakness against them and now it’s Virat kohli’s turn to unleash R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on the visitors.

“To take 20 wickets is going to be very challenging but we are up for that task”.

“(We are) looking forward to the challenge of going out and getting our side as best prepared for the Test match.

This is now India’s longest unbeaten streak in Test cricket, having bettered their previous best – 17 matches between 1985 and 1987 – during the Test series against England.

Both teams last played in 2014-15 and it was Australia who won the four-Test series 2-0 at home. More recently, India defeated Bangladesh in the one-off Test in Hyderabad.

“This team – apart from [David] Warner and [Steve] Smith – I don’t think they will be able to play the game they play in Australian conditions, here in India”. A 4-0 clean sweep for the home team will take them to 125 points and open up a 18-point lead at the top of the table.

Iyer had scored over 1300 runs at one-down while guiding Mumbai to their 41st Ranji title last season but has had a dip in form this season, while Panchal, with a plus 1300 aggregate, led Gujarat to their maiden national crown this season. India always seems to have an answer.

“It’s one of my favourite places to tour, just with how much they love their cricket and how excited the crowds are, it’s a hell of an experience.”

India has had a fantastic run in Test matches.

In their recent tour of Sri Lanka, Mitchell Starc played a terrific role, ending as the second highest-wicket taker in the series behind Rangana Herath in spin dominated conditions and Smith once again backs his speedsters to deliver the goods in India and is satisfied with the overall composition of the squad which also has four spinners. And, I don’t think I would want to extend one wicket more than what Anil Kumble (619) achieved.

Australia finally tasted ended their drought in India when Adam Gilchrist – who replaced injured Ricky Ponting as the skipper – led them to a series win in 2004. “He is an exceptional player”, he said.

“He is exceptional in all formats and he is taking the entire country on a journey”. He believes in team spirit and wants to perform as a team rather than competing with his own team players.