India and Australia begin their battle to clinch the four-test match series from February 23 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. 

The battle of leadership and class will be seen between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith as the two modern day giants of International cricket will be in action.

Another battle will be of pace vs spin. It would be interesting to see how Australia will cope with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. And it would be seen closely how Australians spinners will perform as the Aussies have included four spinners for this tour.

The key for Australia in this test series is pacer Michell Starc. India would be very well aware of this. The hosts must have game plan for the Aussie strong link.

Australia too have a deep and strong batting line up. David Warner, Steve Smith, Glen Maxwell, Usman Khawaja are key to Australia.

On the other hand India have been sensational in the home season under their new full time captain Virat Kohli. And Kohli has been the Mr. Fabulous for India – four consecutive double hundreds in four consecutive series. Fans are expecting another Kohli special in this first test and rest of the series.

Meanwhile, no test match has ever been hosted at The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium earlier. The Pune stadium is one of the new stadiums in India. Along with a new pitch, stadium is coupled with good facilities. The pitch surprisingly has turned out to be a high scoring one. India and Australia have played one ODI match here in 2013. Australia's pace battery destroyed the Indian batting completely and won the match comprehensively. The pitch does support the pacers in first few overs. As far as spinners are concerned, there does not seem to be any such support to them.

Toss would be very interesting and crucial factor. Looking at the pitch, as it supports the pace bowlers, the captain who wins the toss should opt to bowl first.

However, India have an edge over Australia because in recent past Australia’s record doesn’t look good in the sub-continent. Aussies recent loss to Sri Lanka at their turf is the perfect example of batsmen failing to adapt to the spinning conditions. And their spinners are not as lethal Ashwin, Jadeja and Jayant Yadav. But the champion team can’t be ruled out or taken lightly. Pacers like Starc, Hazlewood, and Shaun Marsh will be handy on this type of wicket.

India also have pacers like Ishant Sharma, Bhuneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav who can trouble the Aussie batting line up on this wicket. It will be very interesting and close contest between the two top teams.

India’s likely XI – Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Wardhiman Saha (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma.

Australia’s likely squad - David Warner, Matthew Renshaw/Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Steve O'Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

The match starts at 9 AM to 5 PM

Live telecast on Star Sports Networks and Online Live Streaming on Hotstar