Border Gavaskar Trophy 2018: 5 Key players for India in series 

After losing two successive overseas series against South Africa and England, the Indian Cricket Team will face Australia in a much-anticipated four-Test series, which kicks off on Thursday, December 6.

India's best overseas result in whites Down Under was the 1-1 draw under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly in the 2003/04 series. In 1980/81, as well, the visitors managed to clinch a draw.

Since 2000, though, India played 17 test matches in Australia, winning two and losing ten – a win percentage of 6.89.

In 2014, India went down 2-0 in the four-match series. This time around, they would be looking to end their 70-year wait of winning their maiden series Down Under.

The current Indian Test team has all the bases covered – top quality batsmen, reliable pace bowlers and three splendid spinners. After the losses in South Africa and England, Virat Kohli and his team will be keen to play aggressive cricket to expose Australia's relatively weaker batting lineup.

India have won Test series in Sri Lanka and West Indies in the past. The main challenge for the team has always been to repeat that feat in South Africa, England and Australia.

It is going to be a massive Test series for the Asian giants, where they have the chance to showcase their talent and prove that they can beat Australia in Australia this time around.

India have won two Test matches overseas this year – against South Africa in Johannesburg and against England at Trent Bridge.

Across the history of the sport, South Africa and England have been the most successful team Down Under. England defeated Australia in 2010/11 Ashes and the Proteas established themselves as a successful travelling team by winning 5 matches out 15 Test matches therein.

However, no side from Asia has dominated across an entire Test series in Australia so far. Indian fans would be hoping to see Kohli and Co. create history by scaling that Everest.

Let us take a look at five players who will be vital to India's success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

#1 Virat Kohli

Kohli was exceptional in the 2014/15 series

The Indian skipper was in sensational form in the two overseas Test series this year.

He was the top run-getter during the three match Test series against South Africa with 286 runs in three matches (six innings). He continued his superb form against England, scoring 593 runs in five matches (ten innings) with two centuries and three half-centuries.

In 2018, Kohli has been in a rich vein of form, scoring 1063 runs in ten matches (18 innings) with four centuries and four half-centuries to his name.

In 2014, Kohli proved his worth as a batsman in Australian conditions scoring 692 runs in four matches (eight innings) at an average of 86.50. He hit four centuries and a half-century in that series.

This will be an important venture for Kohli, more so as a captain. He must play the right XI in all three matches and have his thinking cap on at all times on the field.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane scored a century at the MCG in 2014

Ajinkya Rahane, who was considered India's most reliable Indian batsman in overseas conditions not so long ago, has been struggling for form of late. He was dropped from the playing XI for the first two Test matches in South Africa, but scripted a strong comeback, making successful contributions in winning cause for India in the third and final Test match at Johannesburg.

However, his form dipped once again in England. The Indian vice-captain scored 257 runs in five matches (10 innings), with 2 half centuries. He failed to score in the one-off test match against Afghanistan as well.

Rahane was in a rich vein of form during the 2014 series in Australia, where he showed his class by scoring 399 runs in four matches (eight innings), with his best score of 147. He recorded a century and two half-centuries to his name in the series.

He must prove his mettle once again this time around, as the stakes are higher than ever – for himself, as well as for the team!

#3 Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah has been exceptional over the last couple of seasons

After being a success in shorter versions of the game, Jasprit Bumrah has now become the key bowler for India in whites as well. In his debut series in South Africa, Bumrah clinched 14 wickets in three matches and impressed one and all with his consistent performances.

The pacer missed the first two matches in England due to an injury. However, he returned to the playing XI from the third Test and excelled once again, claiming 14 scalps in three matches.

So far in his red-ball career, India's bowling spearhead has taken 28 wickets in six Tests with best figures of 5/54.

Bumrah will play a key role for India against Australia. With his unorthodox action, he can create big trouble for the home side in the high-bounce conditions.

#4 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav has wreaked havoc across all formats of the game

Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the show for India in the T20I series against Australia, taking four wickets in three matches

He has been a revelation for India in the shorter formats of the game and has consistently troubled opposition batsmen with his variety.

Yadav made his Test debut against Australia in 2017 at Dharamsala. Since then he has played five Test matches, taking 19 wickets. During the home series against West Indies, Yadav picked his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

In England though, he played just the one Test, failing to make an impact in the seaming conditions.

However, the left-arm spinner would be a big threat for Australia if included in the playing XI.

#5 Mohammed Shami

Shami returned figures of 5/28 in the third Test against South Africa.

Mohammed Shami has made an undeniable impact in India's two overseas tours this season.

In South Africa, the seamer clinched 15 wickets in three matches. He also picked up his best figures in the format, with returns of 5/28 in India's 63-run win at Johannesburg.

Shami further impressed in the England series, recording 16 wickets in five matches. He also remained fairly consistent through the series, breaking crucial partnerships with his bowling spells.

In 2014, Shami was the second highest wicket-taker in the series with 15 wickets to his name. The pacer will play a key role in picking early wickets for India upfront and will be a real threat in seamer-friendly conditions.