'Especially in the middle overs. That's going to be a key challenge.'
Their pre-tournament decision to fill the squad with five spinners drew a lot of flak from all corners, but it is now proving to be a masterstroke on the slow pitches in Dubai.
Pakistan's ODI series victory in Australia showcased the raw pace and skill of their fast bowling attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf.
Travis Head's blistering century powered Australia's innings on Day 2 of the second Test against India
India fight back against Australia as 17 wickets tumble on opening day
David was ruled out of the rest of the white-ball series on Monday
The opening day drew more than 50,000 fans making it the fourth highest attendance ever for a day of Test cricket at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia looked destined for their biggest score of the series against India after a half century from debutant opener Will Pucovski helped them to 166 for two at the end of the rain-disrupted first day of the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.
Despite the challenging build-up, Gambhir said he is "extremely confident" of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The players will hope to be as confident as they prepare for the fight to keep their World Test Final chances alive.
Nathan McSweeney had a disappointing start to his international career after being ousted by Bumrah for 10 and zero in the first Test at Perth.
Mohammed Siraj's hot temper has become a topic of discussion but Australian quick Josh Hazlewood says the Indian pacer is a 'good character' who fires up the crowd.
Smith has rarely, if ever, doubted his own talent but even he was aware that his spell at the top of the order was proving unpopular.
Top Australia batter Travis Head on Saturday shattered day-night Test records at Adelaide, continuing his golden run against India.
India did not respect the match situation, the playing conditions, and the bowlers, and they've paid a price for it.
Images from Day 2 of the 'Pink-ball' second Test between Australia and India in Adelaide on Saturday.
Sunil Gavaskar believes India will struggle to defend even 200 if Jasprit Bumrah is unable to bowl at full throttle on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test against Australia
Sunil Gavaskar is in awe of Jasprit Bumrah's leadership qualities and reckons the peerless fast bowler will succeed Rohit Sharma as the next captain of the Indian team
Marnus Labuschagne rode his luck to a home-ground century as Australia exploited India's injury woes and punished their poor fielding to reach 274 for five at the close of a steamy opening day of the series-deciding fourth and final Test, in Brisbane, on Friday.
Akash Deep reveals how Virat Kohli offered him one of his bats -- a bat that scripted a rare happy memory during India's otherwise devastating tour of Australia.
Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne said there has not been any talk about him opening the batting in the first Test against India but he is ready to bat at that slot if the team management asks him to do so.
With 539 scalps in 134 matches at an average of 30.39 and best figures of 5/39, Lyon is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Tests and has 24 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket hauls.
Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin says New Zealand, despite the absence of the long-serving pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who have quit playing the 50-over format, will pose a challenge to India.
While Sheffield Shield game for South Australia on a bouncy track would have been ideal preparation for Perth, Head feels that he will relax bit before resuming training for the India series.
With the series locked at 1-1, Brisbane could well decide the course of the rubber and whether Rohit's men would continue to be the master of their fate in the ongoing World Test Championship.
Nathan McSweeney is on the brink of a major debut, set to partner Usman Khawaja as Australia's opening batters in the series against India.
Speaking as quoted by Fox Sports, Waugh said, "I think they have picked the team on winning these last two Test matches."
The biggest positives with the bat in Perth were Virat Kohli regaining his rhythm and Jaiswal's coming of age hundred in his debut Test in Australia. Both will look to build on those significant gains in Adelaide.
At this point it is still anyone's game, with a draw also an option, says Prem Panicker in his analysis of Day 4.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 3rd Test between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Saturday
'In terms of a great first year, it was an amazing summer and hopefully, I can better that this time... Hopefully, against a side like India, testing yourself against one of the best bowling attacks in world cricket at the moment'
Rookie Australia opener Nathan McSweeney admitted feeling "devastated" after being dropped for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, but vowed to work hard to reclaim his spot in the national team.
Images from Day 1 of the 'Pink-ball' second Test between Australia and India in Adelaide on Friday.
Virat Kohli survived a controversial catch call on the first ball he faced in the fifth and final Test at Sydney on Friday.
Cummins had no qualms in admitting that his team was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener but he promised to bounce back in Adelaide
Steve Smith has said he had never encountered a wicket like the one at the SCG
'She knows everything that goes on behind the scenes.' 'I take pride in performing for the country. Feels amazing, the fact that she's here makes it more special.'
Michael Clarke feels the Australian selectors have erred by dropping Nathan McSweeney mid-series against India
Sam Konstas had the Indian camp in disbelief with his bold ramp shots off Bumrah
India will be accorded a tough welcome to Australia as the Optus Stadium pitch for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been prepared to offer "good bounce and pace"
Images from the opening day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
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