Ok. Here's my thoughts and predictions on how the India/Australia series is going to turn out.
India
India have probably got one of the strongest batting line-ups in the world on paper. The likes of Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid definetely have had a huge influence on the way the team has played. Not anymore. If the T20 Cup win was anything but a signal that India's youth are ready and raring to give the 3 oldies a run for their places in this squad. But, the selectors will shy away from dropping them again I fear. India need to start re-building for the World Cup sooner than later. Imagine how much off an empty void there'll be in the Indian batting line-up if Saching, Ganguly and Dravid all retired at around the same time. The influx of youth with world class potential is definetely there. The emergence of Robin Uthappa, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla and so on, definetely shows that India have what it takes to be a top class team.
The Indians have never been great against the Australians, especially with Ricky Ponting around, so I'd say they'd fancy their chances this time around. They'd be confident having the T20 World Cup win on their shoulders, and although I don't like the return of the 3 veterans, it'll probably give us more of a chance against this Aussie squad. Dhoni's motto of "no fear cricket" is something that I like, and that's what India will have to do if they want to keep Australia quiet.
Trump Card - Irfan Pathan
Pathan had a wonderful comeback in the T20s. He swung the ball in Durban a lot, but what I liked best about him was his variation. Slower balls, bouncers and then the odd one that didn't swing at all. Add his ability to bat along with that, and you've got India's first potential genuine all rounder after Kapil Dev.
Australia
There's a reason that the Australians are the No. 1 team in Test and ODI cricket; consistency. It's just amazing how time and time again Australia never seem to lose, until the T20 disaster, which in my opinion was due to a lack of match practice for the middle order. But, in the 50 over format you can't go over Australia that easily. Depth in batting, bowling and amazing fielding: it's hard to take anything away from the Aussies over the past 8 or so years. The loss of Ponting is definetely going to hurt them badly, as he almost always performs against India. The injuries of Watson, Hussey and Tait will also turn out to be weaking for the Australians. But, the Australians have always had a great back-up team. The absence of Bracken for the first few ODIs (I think) might harm the Aussies as well. The likes of Hilfenhaus, Voges and Hopes have a brilliant chance to prove themselves to the selectors, and show the world that they have a future in this Australian team. The reserve Aussie players have always been good, but will they perform again this time?
Trump Card - Ben Hilfenhaus
The fast bowler Hiflenhaus has been never seen by the Indians, and has a great chance of debuting before Bracken returns. IMO he's better than Mitchell Johnson, and definetely will cause the Indians some problems if played.
Series Prediction: 4-3 to the Aussies. I just think the Aussies might be too much to handle for India in the end.
