Iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday, joined a host of former players in slamming average rating given to the Perth stadium pitch, saying only such tracks can revive Test cricket.
'There will be a lot of spice to the contest -- there is a reason India is the only team other than England against whom Australia is keen to play a five Test series.' 'I'll watch, as I suspect most fans will -- but this one time, I'll watch with considerable trepidation and, from a fan's point of view, with the hope that the team finds its feet and that right quick,' notes the distinguished cricket commentator Prem Panicker.
India were scheduled to begin their tour of Australia with a closed-door warm-up match against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A at the WACA in Perth from November 15 to 17.
Australia's mouthwatering clash with India sees the two behemoths of the modern game go head-to-head in five tests over six weeks with the tourists eyeing a third straight series triumph Down Under.
If the humiliation of India being able to declare their second innings on 487/6 reflected poorly on the bowling unit, it was the Australian batting line-up dismissed for 104 in their first innings that bore the brunt of the blame.
Pakistan are already depleted in attack, with injured quick Naseem Shah sidelined and Haris Rauf having opted out of the series to play in Australia's T20 Big Bash League.
Hobart will stage the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England in place of Perth, which was stripped of the hosting rights on Monday because of Western Australia border controls, Cricket Australia said on Saturday.
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.
The splendid catch Virat Kohli took in the slip to dismiss Peter Handscomb was his 100th in the first-class cricket, reveals Rajneesh Gupta.
The ICC confirmed the rating on Tuesday, a marked improvement from the three demerit points that they earned after last year's drawn Ashes Test.
'I think he's got the technique, he's got the patience to partner up with Uzzy (Khawaja) to allow himself to score big.'
The right-hander feels that keeping India's relatively inexperienced pace attack, aside from Jasprit Bumrah, on the field for as long as possible could be the key for the hosts in the five-Test series beginning in Perth on Friday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise in international cricket with yet another outstanding overseas tour
The second India-Australia Test begins on Friday at the new Perth Stadium, which has succeeded the WACA as the city's premier venue for internationals, and which has a drop-in pitch.
India's batters must now prepare for the switch from the turning tracks on home soil to the pace and bounce of Australian pitches.
'I'm leaning towards McSweeney now for that opening role at the start of the Australian summer.'
The Indian women's hockey team fought hard before going down 0-2 against Australia in the third game of its Down Under tour.
Mohammed Shami set two records on day 4 of the Perth Test, says Rajneesh Gupta.
The home team bowlers did not put a foot wrong but the pitch "surprisingly" dried up quite quickly at the Optus stadium on the second day, eventually helping the Indian batters, reckons Australia head coach Andrew McDonald.
Following is a fact box on the second Test of the four-match series between Australia and India:
Australia's capitulation in Perth triggered damning assessments of the team's performance in home media.
What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball and pitches that are likely to produce a result.
From former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth to commentator Harsha Bhogle to the aam Indian, Bumrah was hailed for his top-class showing.
Shaheen and fellow quick Naseem Shah led the way, picking up three wickets apiece during a showcase of swing and pace, which accounted for Jake Fraser-McGurk (seven) and Aaron Hardie (12) in the first powerplay.
'Great for the fans, horrible for the players.'
According to the reports, Ponting left the Perth Stadium around lunchtime after feeling unwell.
Paceman Tom Curran claimed a career-best five for 35 to derail Australia's chase in the inaugural match at Perth's new stadium and help England win the fifth and final one-dayer by 12 runs on Sunday.
Following David Warner's retirement from Tests, Steve Smith opened the batting for Australia in series against West Indies and New Zealand.
'Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed.'
Bumrah's family was in Perth to witness India's 295-victory over Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium, and he could not conceal his delight.
Sarfaraz Khan was spotted leaving the training session early after being hit on his elbow at the nets practice on Thursday.
Ricky Ponting feels that left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed could be a valuable addition in the Indian squad
'I am grateful that they have given me a chance to play now so I have to give my 100 per cent.'
'You've got to love the banter, especially from someone so young.'
Key players, such as pacer Mitchell Starc, are hitting form at the right time, while star batter Steve Smith is facing early setbacks in his preparations.
Bishan Bedi-led India held the previous record when they thrashed Australia by 222 runs in the Melbourne Test in December 1977.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting returned to the commentary booth for the first Test against West Indies on Saturday after suffering a health scare while on the job on Day 3 at Perth Stadium.
'It's going to have take something pretty serious to have me miss a game.'
Jaiswal has made a reputation as one of the most ferocious Test openers in a long time, capable of scoring fast and big both.
The 123-match veteran, affectionately nicknamed 'The GOAT'
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