Australia's five-match series against India should be a treat for fans of Test cricket and both teams start the first Test in Perth with a point to prove. The Aussies have lost their last two home series to India, going down 2-1 in 2018-19 and 2020-21, and their last home Test was January's dramatic eight-run defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane.

South Africa have been worthy opponents for Australia in recent times, and there have been standout Ashes contests, but one match-up has consistently been the most competitive

Once he reached curfew-bound Lahore, Mahmood was horrified by the bloodshed he witnessed there and decided to stay back in Pakistan and not tour Australia. He later became part of the Pakistani cricket team and made his Test debut in 1952-53 against India.

As whispers about the waning powers of India's batting stalwarts and the advancing years of their spin veterans grow louder, the five-test series in Australia marks the beginning of a tricky transition for the side.