India’s tour of Australia towards the end of 2020 has already evoked a lot of interest.

According to Steve Waugh, the Test series between the “two best sides” will be remembered for a long time and hopes India play a Day-Night game Down Under.

Last year, India ended a 71-year wait for their maiden Test series win in Australia. However, Australia are a different team now with Steve Smith and David Warner back, having served one-year ball-tampering bans.

“It is always a great series when Australia and India face each other. It has become a tradition. I think it is going to be an outstanding series.

“Look, there is no doubt David and Steve’s returns will make our team stronger. But there is also no doubt that India right now are the best all-round cricket side in the world, so they will welcome that challenge.

“It will be a series that people will remember for a long time,” Waugh said shortly after landing in India ahead of the three-match ODI series beginning on Tuesday.

During the course of the ODI series, a decision could be made on if India will play a Day-Night Test during the Australian summer. The Kohli-led squad had shown reluctance to play with the pink ball in the previous tour Down Under, but having finally made their Day-Night debut at home in November, it would be difficult to say no to a game under lights in Australia.

Waugh feels Kohli should take up the challenge. “It is a real challenge for teams to play Day-Night cricket in Australia. Someone like Virat Kohli will welcome and embrace it.”

On the upcoming ODI series in India, the World Cup-winning skipper feels the home team will start favourites despite Australia winning the five-match series last year.

“Both sides play tough cricket as they are the two best teams in the world. Australia have an exciting line-up. They have got some new players like Marnus Labuschagne, who is the in-form batsman.”

Traditionalist Waugh

On the intense debate over the ICC’s proposal to trim Test matches to four days, Waugh said the governing body should leave the longest format as it is. “I am a traditionalist. Five-day Test matches work fine for me. It tests your skills and capacity in the best way. If you win inside five days, you get a day off in what is a pretty busy schedule.

“It is the basic of cricket and what it is all about. Leave it as it is,” concluded Waugh.