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According to former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey, the India vs Pakistan rivalry is incomparable to one between India and Australia. Notably, a five-match Test series between Australia and India is scheduled to start on November 22. On the cricket field, the two sides have played in many iconic and memorable matches over the years.
Australia has defeated India back-to-back in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the World Test Championship (WTC) final, despite India winning the last four Test series between the two nations. Hussey believes Australia would never be able to match an India vs Pakistan rivalry, referring to it as a "unique" series, despite their many fierce encounters.
"The Ashes is always very special for an Australian and an English player as well. But, yeah, I'm not sure we can ever compete with India versus Pakistan. That's a unique series, and the rivalry is obviously very strong there. But yeah, I agree. India has turned themselves into a real powerhouse of world cricket. Australia have been pretty strong over the last 20 or 30 years. So I think the rivalry has really grown. And, two great teams, two great nations, going head to head. That's what everyone wants to see," Hussey told Times of India.
The rivalry between the two cricketing superpowers has been further heightened by India's victories in the last two series in Australia, which were contested in 2018–19 and 2020–21, respectively. The Asian powerhouses enter the forthcoming series with a lot on their shoulders since, independent of other outcomes, they must win four of the five Test matches in order to advance to their third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
India is therefore under tremendous pressure to defeat Australia in their den for the third time in a row. Since their skipper, Rohit Sharma, will not be playing in the first Test due to the birth of his baby boy, the situation for the visitors has gotten worse. Due to an injury sustained during the team's match simulation practice at the WACA field in Perth, star batter Shubman Gill will also not be playing in the series opener. For the first Test in Perth, the team management must therefore fill a number of holes in their playing XI.
