India's old masters aim to end Australian era

Cricket fans could witness the end of an era during the course of the next month as Australia take on India in their own backyard.

It was in the Caribbean in 1994-95 that Mark Taylor's side defeated the then mighty West Indies 2-1, a Test series victory that allowed Australia to take their place at the pinnacle of the game. Test series victories and World Cup triumphs continued under Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, performances that gave Australian cricket an aura of invincibility.

That began to fade when Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn retired in 2006-07, and the process continued when Adam Gilchrist called it a day this year. Australia now appear more vulnerable than at any time in the last 15 years. An Indian victory in the four-Test series, which starts tomorrow in Bangalore, will not see Australia lose their number one ranking, but defeat would confirm that the end of an era is nigh.

In almost 15 years of dominance no side has caused Australia more problems than India, a team that should be ruling on the field as well as off it. No country comes close to having the financial or physical resources of India but divisive internal politics and mismanagement continue to prevent them from reaching their potential.

There is little love lost between the sides. This aggro began when Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, antagonised Steve Waugh in 2000-01, a series that India won. Trouble surfaced again this year when India's Harbhajan Singh was alleged to have made racist comments to Andrew Symonds, Australia's only non-white player.

Australia will wait until tomorrow before naming their side, but the team that walks out behind Ponting will not contain a front-line bowler that has played a Test in India. Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson form the backbone of Australia's attack and they are likely to be joined by a rookie spinner, either Jason Krejza or Cameron White.

India's ageing but brilliant batting line-up will fancy its chances. Ganguly yesterday announced he will retire from international cricket at the end of the series, and he, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman can expect to post large totals over the coming weeks.

Australia's batsmen will score heavily but they will find life harder. India have a balanced attack containing Ishant Sharma, a dangerous fast bowler, Zaheer Khan, a high quality swing bowler, and Anil Kumble and Harbhajan, two outstanding spinners.

Heavyweight contest: Australia v India

2007-08: Australia 2 India 1

Marred by Harbajan Singh's alleged racist abuse of Andrew Symonds.

2004: India 1 Australia 2

Australia's first series win in India in 35 years.

2003-04: Australia 1 India 1

Steve Waugh salvages a draw in the final Test after India made 705 for 7.

2001: India 2 Australia 1

Considered one of the all-time great series, a high point being the 376-run stand between V V S Laxman and Rahul Dravid in Calcutta.