Australia vs India 2018-19: 3 traps Indian batsmen must avoid in the first Test

#1 Drive outside the off-stump

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The strategy of bowling outside the off stump has been Australia's most effective trap employed against the Indian top and middle order batsmen. As simple and harmless as this tactic seems, India's greatest batsmen have repeatedly given their wickets away to it.

Virat Kohli had a miserable tour of England in 2014 when James Anderson repeatedly ensnared him by bowling outside the off-stump. Kohli corrected that mistake and largely avoided wafting at such balls in his next series in England earlier this year, and ended up being the highest scorer of the series from either side.

Similarly, Tendulkar exhibited incredible restraint in avoiding the cover-drive on India's tour to Australia in 2004, and was also very successful.

To be strong on paper is one thing, but to go on the field and win in Australia is a completely different proposition. Australia will almost certainly employ these three traps, and they will be waiting for every small mis-step that the visitors take.

But if the Indian batsmen understand their vulnerabilities and remain disciplined against the Australian bowlers, a historic victory for this Indian team will almost certainly become reality.