The rivalry between India and Australia is arguably the most important in world cricket. India vs Pakistan is not because they do not play each other very often, and India has dominated Pakistan more often than not. Pakistan is not the same team it was in the 1990s and early 2000s. Furthermore, India has not played a Test against Pakistan since 2007.

As a result, India and Australia are the most fierce Test rivals in recent memory. Every series of Test matches between these two teams has been thrilling, nail-biting, energy-sapping, and occasionally contentious. After a six-year absence, Australia returns to India to play Test cricket. In 2017, India eventually won the series, but not before the Aussies won by 333 runs in Pune and a dogfight in Bengaluru marred by the infamous DRS incident involving Steve Smith.

In the post-match press conference, Virat Kohli was enraged, but the Indian victory set the stage for a dramatic comeback. After a tame draw in Ranchi, India travelled to Dharamsala for the final Test without Virat Kohli, who had a poor series. Kohli was in sensational form during India's extended home season of Test matches, but by the time Australia arrived, the then-India captain was likely drained and exhausted, particularly after his heroics against England.

Dharamsala provided conditions that were more appealing to Australia than to India. However, India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, were once again the superior team. The Indians stormed to an 8-wicket victory and a series win thanks to Ravindra Jadeja's all-round heroics, ushering in an era of Test dominance.

It was an exciting series, but it also strained relations between Virat Kohli and the Australian team, and that spice would later serve as the catalyst for two of Indian cricket's most iconic moments in history. India lost away series in South Africa and England after going undefeated at home. At the end of 2018, India left for Australia, where many believed they would have their best chance to make history because Steve Smith and David Warner were serving suspensions for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal.

But it wasn't just the absence of Warner and Smith that helped India become the first team from the subcontinent to win a Test series in Australia; Virat Kohli led with such aggression that the Aussies, who were attempting to show they had transformed into smiling gentlemen rather than a pack of wolves as AB de Villiers once described them, were taken aback. Tim Paine did try to get under the Indians' skin, but his sledges were met with more aggression from the Indians.

At one point, Virat Kohli and Paine had a heated exchange of words, while Rishabh Pant took it upon himself to intimidate Paine from behind the stumps with chants of temporary captain. It was a battle of attrition. India won by 31 runs in Adelaide, but Australia rallied in Perth and delivered the decisive blow in the Boxing Day Test, the highlight of the Australian cricket calendar.

Jasprit Bumrah made the Australian batters hop, skip, and jump his way to a match-high nine wickets. India was trailing 2-1 as they travelled to Sydney. A rain-soaked draw meant that India had accomplished something in Australia that no other Asian team had done before. India would repeat history two years later. They were missing some of their key players this time.

India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, handing them a crushing defeat. Ajinkya Rahane took over after Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his daughter. Australia's experts did not give India a chance. They predicted a landslide for the visitors. They were in for another surprise in the Boxing Day Test.

Ajinkya Rahane scored one of India's most significant Test hundreds, and Australia ended the year with a crushing defeat against their unfancied visitors. If you expected Australia to come back stronger in Sydney, you were mistaken. Despite Steve Smith's heroics, India managed a brave draw thanks to some fireworks from Rishabh Pant and a stoic partnership between R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari. India, who were set a target of 407 to win, fought back for 131 overs to finish on 334 for 5, which likely deflated Australia.

Before the final Test in Brisbane, India knew it would have to field one of its most inexperienced bowling attacks in history. Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, and Navdeep Saini were not household names, but they rose to throw punches after punches at Australia. Then, Washington and Shardul stood firm, denying Australia one last chance to fight back. The Australians scored 369 runs in their first innings and held India to 186 for 6.

Washington was making his debut and Shardul Thakur was playing just his second Test, but the two added 123 for the 7th wicket to take India close to the Australian first innings total. India were set a target of 328 and there was not a soul who gave them a realistic chance of chasing that down. But try telling that to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who were in no mood to let it go. Play out a draw? No way. Gill was a 3-Test old youngster who was expected to make it big in the future. He could have been excused for failing at that stage, but there was so much pride to play for.

On the final morning, Gill took on Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins - the most dangerous pace bowling trio in the world and raced away to 91, falling heartbreakingly short of a hundred. Cheteshwar Pujara took body blows and resisted further with a 211-ball 56 before Ajinkya Rahane walked in to play a cameo and show India's intent - they were in it to win it.

By the time, it was up to Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar in the closing stages of the match, perhaps even the Indian camp had resigned to a draw as the best possible result. But Pant was unstoppable that day. Washington released the pressure with a six that shocked the Australian side and then Pant unleashed brute force to leave his legacy on one of the most unbelievable wins in India's Test history. While the Indian victory in 2018-19 had come without Steve Smith and David Warner in the Australian ranks, the Australian team was full-strength in 2020-21.

There were no excuses they could offer this time especially against an Indian team playing without Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in what is known as Australia's fortress. As Australia arrive in India, they would be desperate to salvage their pride. This has been a rivalry to cherish for cricket fans the world over and Australia have lost three successive series against India, now including two in their own backyard. However, this Australian team under Pat Cummins is the best they have had in years. It's a dangerous batting line-up.

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head are the players. And each of those men is in great shape. Furthermore, Australia is well prepared for their most difficult assignment yet. They toured Pakistan last year, winning 1-0 and drawing 1-1 in Sri Lanka. Prior to the India tour, Australia worked hard in Sydney to simulate Indian conditions as closely as possible.

However, this will not be easy. Since 2012, India has not lost a Test series at home. That is an incredible accomplishment. India will be dangerous even without Rishabh Pant, and with the World Test Championship on the line, there is no doubt they will come out all guns blazing. Whatever happens after February 9, this Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be another India-Australia series to remember.