India VS Australia 2013: News

Much like captain Cook's marathon innings in the first Test at Motera, captain Dhoni's scintillating double hundred against the Australians in the first Test at Chennai is also anticipated to have the same impact on this series. Aakash Chopra writes.

While India departed Chennai with a big psychological advantage, they shouldn't think that will automatically lead to a win in the second Test - otherwise, they could quickly find the series level. Ian Chappell writes. Ian says

The last time there was a Test at Hyderabad, it was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding VVS Laxman's retirement, with the theory doing the rounds that skipper MS Dhoni had pushed him into doing so. HT reports.

Australia disregarded the pitch and played to their strength by picking four seam bowlers and one spinner. India, with a bowling line-up more suited to the conditions, will have an edge as this fascinating Test continues to evolve. Sanjay Manjrekar writes.

Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma is a happy man as the effort that his favourite student Virat Kohli put in at the nets prior to the Australia series has worked wonders for the player.

Congratulations Harbhajan! There are few feats bigger than playing 100 Tests for the country. It takes a lot of hard work, consistency and determination to scale this peak, and Harbhajan hasn't been found wanting on any count, writes Yuvraj Singh.

The first Test between India and Australia is shaping up as a classic confrontation between spin and pace, not just a test of philosophies and battle of wills but each team playing to their respective strengths, writes Ian Chappell.

The Test championship mace is out of their reach but a plump prize purse of $750,000 is at stake when India will take on Australia and England clash with New Zealand in their respective series in days ahead.

Speaking to HT over phone, Kim Hughes said that a host of factors - inexperience, lack of quality spinners or gamechanging pacers, an inordinate number of left-handers in their top-6 - could spell doom for Aussies. Rohit Bhaskar reports. Know Kim

Nicknamed 'Big Show' for his ambitious approach on the field, Glenn Maxwell justified the tag in the Indian Premier League auction. On his fifth trip to India, Maxwell told HT that he aimed to make it a memorable one. Excerpts: