India vs Australia 2017: 5 key player battles to watch out for

#1 Mitchell Starc vs Virat Kohli

Starc‘s thrust could offer stiff competition to Kohli’s enterprising stroke-play

With a double century in each of the four preceding series, Kohli has led from the front to help his team amass formidable first-innings totals. Such has been the Indian skipper’s dominance that his career Test average has skyrocketed from 44.02 (before the West Indies tour last year) to an impressive 51.75 over the span of just 13 Tests.

Extra Cover: Meet Aniket Choudhary – the bowler preparing Indian batsmen for Mitchell Starc

Albeit on batting-friendly conditions, Kohli seems to have found an answer to his issues around the off-stump. But, Starc’s intensity and well-directed pace could pose a different type of challenge. If Australia bring him to the crease much earlier than he would like, he might have to contend with the left-armer’s sharp movement. Should the ball reverse, late-swing comes into the equation too.

Considering the form he is in, the star right-hander will be looking at Starc as a scoring opportunity rather than being worried of him. Their game of one-upmanship should set the stage for a riveting affair.