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Team India will be the favorites to win the series against Australia when they tour Down Under, according to Simon Katich.

The former Australian cricketer is currently working as Kolkata Knight Riders’ assistant coach.

Dinesh Karthik-led Knight Riders won their opener during the ongoing eleventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). The hosts thrashed Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets at Eden Gardens on April 8.

India are set to tour Australia later this year and will look to win the series. However, Team India had not managed to win a Test series in Australia till now.

“India deserve to be favourites given the cricket they have played. the quality in their Test team at the moment and the way Virat Kohli is leading them,” said Katich.

The Sandpaper Gate had recently rocked Australian cricket. Steven Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were all banned from playing in Australia for next few months. The trio will definitely be not part of India series.

David Warner Steven Smith — Smith and Warner have been banned for a year (Credits: Getty)

However, Katich does not think India could walk over and win the series. He expects a competitive series given the home conditions will be in favor of Australia.

“Certainly, it won’t be the best Australian team because then you would have had those three but we would still have good bowling attack and that the series is being played at home is a positive,” Katich remarked.

“I don’t think it will be a walkover for India because if the wickets suits Australian quicks and Nathan Lyon to an extent, then Australia will have a pretty good advantage in the series,” he said.

Simon Katich Hopeful Public Supports Aussies:

The image of Australian cricket had tarnished badly in the public after the ball tampering scandal in South Africa recently.

The outrage in the public was one of the many factors that led to lengthy bans on the three players.

But Katich thinks the public will be back in the ground to cheer their team.

“Well, the Australian public is mindful of the fact that such behaviour is not on and I think Cricket Australia has sent the right message, mainly to the kids,” Katich maintained.

“But almost definitely they will back the team because the Australian public also loves the underdog and if it is their team, they will get right behind it. I look forward to a really good series,” Katich stated.

India will play a four-match Test series against Australia in summer. They might also take part in day-night Test match which might happen in Brisbane.