'It's going to be a real challenge, it's actually absolutely the litmus test as a touring team.'
The depleted Aussies will look at Travis Head and captain Smith for inspiration as they chase the title that they last won in 2009.
Virat Kohli imitates Cameron Bancroft's infamous sandpaper gate incident.
Australia bowled out Sri Lanka for 231 in the hosts' second innings and then chased down the target of 75 losing the lone wicket of opener Travis Head.
Australian captain Steve Smith said the pitch for the fourth and final Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium potentially looks to be the 'flattest day one track' of the series.
Stand-in captain Smith savours rare Australian win in India
Former South Africa captain and director of cricket Graeme Smith has been cleared of racism allegations by two independent arbitrators, the country's cricket board (CSA) said on Sunday.
Pat Cummins, 28, becomes only the second specialist fast bowler to take the captaincy after Ray Lindwall, who led for one Test against India in the mid-1950s.
After several losses in the early years of the new century, a resurgent India notched up two consecutive series wins in Australia to become the Aussies' nemesis.
Rajasthan Royals captain Steve Smith said they let Delhi Capitals off the hook by conceding an extra 15-20 runs which proved quite crucial in the final analysis, in their Indian Premier League match, in Sharjah, on Friday.
Only Jos Buttler got going with the bat for the Steve Smith-led side as he played a knock of 70 runs. Bumrah emerged as a star with the ball for Mumbai as he returned with the figures of 4-20 in his four overs.
Steve Smith celebrated his return at the helm with a captain's innings that powered Rajasthan Royals to a five-wicket victory over a formidable Mumbai Indians.
Steven Smith maintained his purple patch to hit a brilliant unbeaten 102 to secure Australia's three-wicket victory against England in a high-scoring tri-series match at Hobart on Friday.
Cricket Australia (CA) has come in defence of skipper Steve Smith who has been under fire post the series whitewash in Sri Lanka, followed by defeat against South Africa in the opening Test in Perth, going 0-1 in the three-match series. The debacle didn't end there as the Aussies came out with a dismal batting performance in the Hobart Test as they were bowled out for 85 on Day One itself within the second session. But CA chief executive James Sutherland has backed Smith, citing his age and inexperience, and adding that they have full faith in the latter as a leader.
Australia captain Steve Smith won his second Allan Border Medal on Monday, becoming the fifth player to claim the country's highest individual cricket honour more than once.
Captain Steve Smith frustrated England with a fighting half-century and pushed Australia to 165 for four at the close of a see-sawing day two, rescuing the hosts after a top order collapse in the series-opening Ashes Test in Brisbane on Friday.
Graeme Smith described South Africa's four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test as one of the most rewarding wins in his 100 matches as captain of the side.
Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Manoj Tiwary says Mahendra Singh Dhoni's valuable inputs to captain Steven Smith has helped the team perform well in the ongoing tenth edition of the Indian Premier League.
Marsh, Smith dig Australia out of a hole in Pakistan Test
Former India captains have called on cricket authorities to investigate Australia skipper Steve Smith amid allegations his team flouted the rules of the game when deciding whether to review decisions during the second Test.
Australia captain Steven Smith rubbed salt into India's wounds saying that the hosts dug their own grave by preparing a rank turner which backfired badly in the first Test.
Australia captain Steven Smith very well understands the significance of the upcoming tour of India as he said success in the four Test series against Virat Kohli and his men can make his side 'one of the all-time greats'.
An Australian newspaper reported that Virender Sehwag and Inzamam-ul-Haq mocked at captain Graeme Smith during the Super Series Test.
Virat Kohli continued his day job of mesmerising fans with a magical willow
Graeme Smith, one of the most dogged batsmen of his generation, stunned South Africa on Monday by announcing he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing third Test against Australia at Newlands.
Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith on Thursday came out in support of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has struggled for runs in the first three games of this year's Indian Premier League.
South African captain Graeme Smith plans to hold off surgery for a chronic tennis elbow injury until after next month's home Test series with Australia, he said on Thursday. Smith told a news conference on his return to South Africa from Australia, where his side beat Australia in an away Test series for the first time, that he would see a surgeon on Saturday to discuss the best course of action.
Australia captain Steve Smith has been ruled out of the upcoming one-day international series in New Zealand after he picked up a minor ankle injury in the ODI victory over Pakistan in Adelaide on Thursday.
South Africa Test captain Graeme Smith has signed a three-year contract with Surrey to captain the English county.
Australia vice-captain David Warner found it "bizarre" that pundits and fans continue to criticise the team despite winning their last two Test matches after a run of five losses.
Captain Steve Smith struck his maiden half-century in the Indian Premier League to steer Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
Australia are perhaps fortunate that there is such a short gap between Tests given the navel-gazing that is likely to follow their first defeat in the opening test of a home Summer for 28 years.
Getting whacked on the hand by a Cameron Bancroft shot would not keep Steve Smith from the Boxing Day Test against England, the Australia captain said on Monday.
Mitchell Starc's send-off celebration after dismissing Indian opener Murali Vijay did not find approval from captain Steven Smith.
Australia captain Steve Smith was fined 60 perc ent of his match fee for a slow over rate in his first Test as skipper in a four-wicket victory in the second Test against India in Brisbane.
Australia captain Steven Smith defended his decision to declare late and concede a draw four overs early in the third Test on Tuesday, saying India had contributed to the non-result with their tactics in the morning.
Australia captain Steve Smith played down a tense stand-off in pay negotiations between the players' union and the national cricket board, saying his team is highly motivated to cut a deal and play the Ashes against England.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has lost his valuable Test cap which he wore in every match since his debut against Australia way back in 2002 in Cape Town.
Australia, the World's No. 1 One-Day International side, need to work on a number of aspects to improve ahead of next year's ICC Champions Trophy, captain Steve Smith said after they won a triangular series win in the West Indies.
Young captain Steven Smith compiled a watchful half-century to guide Australia to 259 for five at stumps and leave the third Test against India delicately poised after an attritional opening day.
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