India will be looking to kick off their 2023 in style, with a mammoth four-game Test series against Australia set to begin on February 9th.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line, as well as a potential spot in the ICC World Test Championship final, this series is looming as one of the biggest in recent memory.
Australia and India are the two top-ranked Test teams in world cricket, but the recent outings between the sides have gone in the host nation's favour.
India have won the past three Test series between the powerhouse outfits, with the Aussies last winning the trophy back in 2015.
MORE: Full history of Border-Gavaskar Trophy | Who has scored the most Test centuries in India?
With so much to play for, The Sporting News have cast our eye over both teams' chances in the Test series.
India vs Australia Test series squads
India Test squad
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav
Australia Test squad
Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
India vs Australia Test series history
India have the wood over Australia in Test cricket, winning nine of the past 15 series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While a lot of their wins have come in the favourable conditions at home, India have also won the past two series Down Under in both 2018/19 and 2020/21.
Since its official inception in 1996, India have held the trophy for the majority of the time, with the Aussies last gaining possession of it back in 2015.
| YEAR | HOST NATION | RESULT |
| 1996 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 1998 | India | India won 2-1 |
| 1999 | Australia | Australia won 3-0 |
| 2001 | India | India won 2-1 |
| 2003 | Australia | Drawn 1-1 |
| 2004 | India | Australia won 2-1 |
| 2007 | Australia | Australia won 2-1 |
| 2008 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 2010 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 2011 | Australia | Australia won 4-0 |
| 2013 | India | India won 4-0 |
| 2014 | Australia | Australia won 2-0 |
| 2017 | India | India won 2-1 |
| 2018 | Australia | India won 2-1 |
| 2020 | Australia | India won 2-1 |
India vs Australia Test series betting odds
Odds courtesy of TAB, correct as of February 9th.
India are currently rated a $1.50 chance of winning the series, with Australia on the second line of betting at $4.40 to win the series. A draw in the four-game series is rated a $5.00 chance.
| India $1.50 | Draw $5.00 | Australia $3.75 |
In terms of the series result betting, the favourite is for India to win the four-game series 2-1 against the Aussies. The chances of a 4-0 whitewash for India is rated a $8.00 chance, while the shortest series result price in Australia's favour is also rated a $8.00 chance.
| RESULT | ODDS |
| India 1-0 | $51 |
| India 2-0 | $15 |
| India 2-1 | $5.00 |
| India 3-0 | $8.00 |
| India 3-1 | $6.00 |
| India 4-0 | $8.00 |
| Draw 0-0 | $151 |
| Draw 1-1 | $10 |
| Draw 2-2 | $7 |
| Australia 1-0 | $51 |
| Australia 2-0 | $31 |
| Australia 2-1 | $8.00 |
| Australia 3-0 | $26 |
| Australia 3-1 | $15 |
| Australia 4-0 | $41 |
India vs Australia Test series predictions, expert tips
India will go into the series as deserved favourites, with a stellar record against the Aussies in Test cricket - particularly on home soil.
While the visitors will be bringing in some strong form and the No.1 ICC Test ranking, playing in sub-continent conditions is not something the Aussies have had great success in.
Australia's last Test series win in India came 18 years ago and they have an uphill battle ahead of them.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon and opening batsman Usman Khawaja are likely Australia's best hopes of securing victory in the series, while the in-form Steve Smith will also be hoping to make an impact.
For the hosts, Shubman Gill is in red-hot form in the shorter formats of the game and is certainly a player who looks primed for a big series, while spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be looking to take plenty of wickets.
India are the favourites for a reason and their record on home soil, coupled with a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final on the line, is why most smart judges are leaning towards them to come out on top in the series.
Australia should keep themselves in the contest for the majority of the series, but will likely struggle to take 20 wickets in each match in Indian conditions, while some of their batsman may find it difficult as well.
SERIES RESULT PREDICTION: India win 2-1
MOST SERIES RUNS PREDICTION: Shubman Gill (300+ runs)
MOST SERIES WICKETS PREDICTION: Ravichandran Ashwin (15+ wickets)