Marnus Labuschagne Urges 'Turn the Tables' as Rohit Sharma's India aims for Test Series Hat-Trick

This year, Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian side as they aim to secure a third consecutive series win. Despite doubts raised by former Australian cricketers, including the legendary Ricky Ponting, India is determined to prove their strength once again. Unfortunately, India may have to face this challenge without two of their key players, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, who have been sidelined due to a loss of form.

While Rohit and Virat Kohli, alongside KL Rahul, continue to remain an important part of the Test setup, the tour will see a host of youngsters who will potentially be playing a red-ball series in Australia for the first time. Granted, Rishabh Pant – one of India's stars from the previous Border-Gavaskar trophy win Down Under – has returned to cricketing action but has yet to play a red-ball game. The upcoming home Test season will be crucial for Pant, as well as other India stars, to acclimatize with the format, with their last Test action being in March earlier this year.

As both sides look forward to the series, which begins in November, Australia's star batter, Marnus Labuschagne, has also weighed in on the upcoming series. While he didn't outright declare the favourites, Labuschagne insisted that the Australian side is keen on turning the tables.

“The energy when these two teams play together is always high. There is always high anticipation. It doesn't matter where we play; India, Australia, or England, it's always a tough contest. India's fast bowling quartet is very good, which is what really brings them in Australian conditions and makes them such a tough team to beat. Hopefully, this summer, we can turn the tables back on India and put them in real pressure,” Labuschagne told Star Sports.

The Australian team is currently on the tour of the United Kingdom; the side is facing Scotland in a three-match T20I series, following which it will move to England for three T20Is and five ODIs.

Interestingly, the side isn't scheduled to play a Test before the Border-Gavaskar trophy. India, meanwhile, will play five Tests before the series against the Aussies – two against Bangladesh, and three against New Zealand.