LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Nathan Lyon of Australia appeals for the wicket of Jos Buttler of England during Day Three of the 5th Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Kia Oval on September 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off in less than 48 hours with both countries on top of their game and eager for a series win.
These are six players who will decide the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Will Ravi Ashwin's spin prove too much for the Australian batters or will Nathan Lyon's off-spinners get the better of the Indian middle order?
Is there anyone who will have a bigger difference than Ravi Ashwin? The off-spinner is bound to have a field day against Australia's left-hand batters, having already claimed the scalp of 200 left-handers during his career.
Unplayable in his home country, Ashwin will play a decisive role in the outcome of the match. In his test career, he has taken 449 wickets at an average of 24.30. His bowling ability allows him to take multiple wickets during an inning and cause havoc to the opposition batters.
"If Ashwin is on fire, that might decide the outcome of the series. He is so world-class in most conditions but in Indian conditions, he is lethal," former India coach Ravi Shastri said.
"If the ball starts spinning and there is enough bite off the surface, he will trouble most batters."
Australia's first-choice spinner and best Australian off-spinner of all time, Nathan Lyon is going to have to perform at his very best this series. With the conditions and pitches suiting spinners, all eyes will be on Lyon to take the wickets of key Indian batters.
Lyon has an impressive record in India but isn't outstanding that will make the opposing batters worried. On paper Lyon's 35 wickets in seven tests is impressive but then you look at his bowling average, economy rate and strike rate.
He will be looking to improve on his bowling average of 30.58 in India. If he can offer control from one end while the fast bowlers are at the other end, he may end up being Player of the Series.
The Australian opener and member of the 2022 Test team of the year, Usman Khawaja is in career-best form. Easily the best batter in the Aussie squad, Khawaja is used to the unique conditions India has to offer.
His 2022 test cricket stats include 647 runs at an average of 107.3. This amazing feat has allowed Australia to get off to a great start in every test they have played and they don't have to rely on the middle order to score runs.
In Khawaja's last 12 innings in the subcontinent region, he has averaged 95.77 with three centuries to his name. Not afraid to play against spin, he could be the missing link to Australia's success in India.
"I'm a very fluid player. I say I'm more artist than architect, I go by feel, and suss the conditions and work on the fly," Khawaja said to cricket.com.au.
A modern-day legend, Virat Kohli is looking to continue his great form since the Asia Cup in 2022. However, whilst he may be in top form in the ODI and T20I arena, he has struggled recently in test cricket.
Having not hit a test century since 2019 against Bangladesh, Kohli is in the biggest slump of his career. But if there is one individual not to be counted out during the series it is Virat Kohli. Hoping to prove critics wrong about his position in the team, Kolhi will be relying on his batting skill at home.
In 104 test matches, the maestro has scored 8119 runs with an average of 48. This included 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries with a high score of 254 not out.
Ready to hit the ground running, Steve Smith is confident he will be a main factor in bringing back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australian soil. In all domestic and international competitions, he enters the series on the best form scoring 346 runs in the Big Bash League at an average of 86.50.
Smith was one of the few batters who had luck the last time Australia played in India. During the 2017 series in India, Smith was the shining light scoring 499 runs, three centuries and had an average of 71.28 runs.
"I'll be looking at those kinds of things and try to take confidence out of those and implement all that stuff into my training before we play," Smith told ABC Sport.
Compared to Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara is a brick wall in the middle order. Known for his long innings and ability to bat all day, Pujara has been a consistent performer in all editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In 20 matches between India and Australia, he's scored a total of 1893 runs with an average of 54.05. Pujara also has a great record against Australian captain Pat Cummins scoring 172 runs against him, whilst only getting out twice to him in India.
Speaking to the media earlier this month, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri praised Pujara's ability with the bat.
"Chesteshwar Pujara... is one wicket they want he will frustrate Australia,” said Shastri.