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Part of that anticipation is undoubtedly a sense of unfinished business (from both sets of supporters). The events of last summer are not yet buried and injustices, perceived or real, provide that bit of extra needle. No sense denying the obvious.

The real interest though lies in the realisation that this trophy is up for grabs. Not for a long time has Australia gone into a Test series feeling they have to fight tooth and nail to merely scrape home. Any team that no longer has the combined firepower of Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist is entitled to feel nervous. When you add Hayden’s uncertain injury status, Symonds’ absence and a inexperienced spin bowling attack against the best players of spin on Indian pitches, there is every reason for Australia to covet the underdog tag and take the pressure off themselves.

It is this sort of unknown territory that is suddenly becoming BBQ conversation in Brisbane backyards. Will our ageing (but highly credentialed) batting line up still be able to score big scores at over 4 runs per over? Will we ever find another Gilchrist at No 7? No one really expects the spinners to dominate the series but the hope is that they will be able to play their part in neutralizing the Indian batting order whilst Lee, Clarke and Johnson can reverse swing the old ball on abrasive pitches.

Australian fans also know that India too face their own demons when it comes to picking the right moment to blood youth. It’s a fascinating question to ask from afar. Will India have the guts to dispense with loyal servants like Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly in a big series like this? Or will they take the soft (safer) option of experimenting with youth at a later date when the stakes are not that high? The general consensus is that India will choose the more conservative approach and opt for the tried and tested warriors. There’s a sense that India will simply not have the courage to make wholesale changes just yet.

And why shouldn’t they? India are entitled to pick their best team to win this series. Let the future look after itself. We’re a pragmatic bunch over here and fully understand that winning this trophy is more important to India than looking too far into the future. That’s what makes these conversations so interesting….I can’t remember the last time we dissected and debated an opposition team’s selections so closely. It’s a reflection of the level of interest that is being generated.

The fact that there will be no ODI’s actually adds to the excitement I believe. It’s almost like stepping back in time. Stripping cricket back to its original roots – Test match cricket, played hard, played fair and may the best man win. No distractions, no excuses, no surrender.

It’s a reflection of India’s strength that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now assuming the level of status that used to be reserved for The Ashes and the Frank Worrell Trophy. This is a piece of silverware that Australia treasures.

It would be interesting to know if anyone from outside Australia, and not just India, is taking a close interest in this fascinating contest that looms. In an era of mismatches, this one shapes as a genuine 50/50 proposition. That has to be good for cricket.

Can't wait ...

Surely, the excitement is almost unbearable here in India. We too have had a break (if you can call it that) for a month (!), the longest we have had for a long time.

This seems to be the best chance for India to claim back the trophy. The only question mark is whether the old guard will be able to do it once more for India. They did a commendable job in Australia earlier in the year, coming back from demotivating losses in Melbourne and Sydney to win in Perth. If the Indian batting can hold its own, India will have the upper hand. My prediction is 2-1 for India.

On the other hand, you can never discount the Aussies, be they 125 test match old pros or rookies. Ponting has scores to settle of his own. Hayden, Ponting and Lee hold the key for Australia. Lee would definetely be the biggest threat. If he gets support from 1-2 bowlers, who can tie one end up and not give too many boundaries, they would be successful in reigning in the Indians, like in 2004.

May the best team win.

This series in India will be interesting no doubt but I think that Stuart Clark will be the difference he is quickly (and admirably) filling McGrath's immense shoes..

And Jaques has a lot to prove.. Hayden's possible swansong and Punters getting no younger.

I expect whichever spinner they use will be utilised intelligently by Ponting and will give it all.. and will maybe like the tracks..

So desite it all I think the real contest will be next year in England.. they surely have a better pace attack than India's. Over the years the teams that have consistently knocked Australia over have done it by blasting them out with pace (ie Bodyline, 1954 Frank Tyson & the 80's windies pace juggernaut).

I am predicting 3-1 Australia (even if the bookies say otherwise)..

I am just waiting with bated breath. great thing is, as you have mentioned, there are no ODI or T20 distraction. India Aus series has a gldiatorial feel to it. For me the players to watch are from India the usual suspects Tendulkar Sehwag and Harbhajan and the newbee Ishant Shrama, I hope kumble also rediscovers his mojo for a deserving swan song after an awful series in Sri Lanka and from the aussie side i think hayden, clarke and lee would be the ones to watch. In the last series in india it was Clarke who set the tone with a superb 100 on debut. I hope the pitches are good (i would love it if the pitches are like the 2001 series) and all the matches last till the final day if not the final session. If this happens then I would be satisfied no matter who wins.

Given their consistently close series against each other over the last few years, India v Australia is always going to be an attractive proposition, whatever the respective teams' selections. But there is also wider interest about each team. Regarding India, is it the final series together for the Big Four? Regarding Australia, it's the first real test of their depth and quality in the post-Warne/McGrath etc era. I think India will win: home advantage counts for a great deal in India and, although Australia have been dominant for a decade and you can never count them out, I have the feeling that the Aussies have passed their peak and are on the wane a little. But this series, plus the Australia-SA back-to-back series that follow, will give us the answer to that question!

Summer of 2001 was the Test Series, changed everything about the way India-Australia matches were played. An eye for an eye, was the way to go for the Indians. The excitement, the tensions, the post match conferences, the ego clashes, will always be remembered by the fans forever. I remember being at Wankhede,afterSachin was brilliant caught by Ponting after the ball cushioned off the shoulder of the fielder at short-leg, and the " noise of silence" was deafening. The wild celebrations after the victory at kolkatta and Harbhajan running for his life, to score the final 2 runs in the 3rd test, still give me goose bumps.
Just can't wait for 9th October.

PS- I really think the team with a better stretrgy( Like India playing 4 spinners), will WIN.

This series promises to be at least as good as the previous few versions, which is saying a lot in this day of monotonous, one-sided contests. Both teams have their demons to sort out- India's ageing batting, Australia's lack of experience for the most part. It should be interesting seeing how the Indians tackle Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar. I think they made the right decision leaving Ganguly out- he hasn't done much of note against Australia- and including the three that've proved to be the biggest thorns for Australia, may be hoping it will work one last time... I certainly wouldn't mind one last Dravid/Laxman super-partnership- as a cricket lover, its almost unbearable to think this may well be the last of those.
So many other sub-plots as well: Ponting/Harbhajan, Hussey's average, Kumble/Dhoni, Krezja/McGain
Exciting times! I cannot wait for October...

I would love personally to see the Indians get up.. but I think their batting will be brittle against Clark who bowls well at left handers as well as the other way.

Just can't see the crown slipping yet.. no-one has outbatted this Australian side since England did in 2005 and that will be the difference. I'd say this Aussie side is relishing the thought of an actual contest for a change.

Kumble will be ineffectual as a bowler if not as captain.. Singh will bowl well again but Michael Clarke isn't the player he was... he is better and hungrier for the test captaincy.

With people like Hodge & Katich as backup this is still a VERY strong batting line up.. I hope the BCCI doesn't order too many dead tracks otherwise you will see an Australian run feast.. and pressure from well directed fast bowling. And the result will then surprise no-one.

Aus are the underdogs, as they should be, we've only won a single test series in India in 30 years. India are certain favourites. Having said that, a lot will depend on Sehwag to score heavily (a certain on dead tracks, not so certain with some movement off the seam) as India's middle order is no longer a guarenteed run-machine. Does anyone know the strength of India's fast bowling stocks? Are they fit/in form?
The Aus team I believe are actually on the up. Symonds is a big loss & Hayden is a worry with injury but I feel this team is very hungry to prove itself. Michael Clarke is getting better with every test and Jacques, Ponting, & Hussey are absolute class. Clark & Lee would make any test side and I think the conditions will suit Johnson, so look out for some big swing at pace from the left armer who will run in all day.
I feel a drawn series coming on. I can't wait!
P.S. The Ashes will always be a bigger draw cause we just love beating the Poms!

Yes, we are all excited to see the upcomin clash...But this time India has got an upper hand. Many people are still talking about the weakness of spinners in aussie line up being there is no big warniee or a Hodge.. One think people should understand that even warnie or Hodge are dint made up a big breakthru of the Great Indian Middle Order whenever they toured to India. Its all about Pace does the trick for aussies whenever they won. Its time for Brett to spear head but am not able to see anyone beyond Brett for supporting...This made Comfortable for the Men in Blue to win the series easily, being with all the fire power they almost pulled a series in the aussie's own backyard last time.. My prediction for the series iS 2-0 favouring India... COME ON MEN IN BLUE.....