Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble predict the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar series

The marquee Border-Gavaskar Test series is less than a week away, and the chatter is slowly building up around the much-awaited longest version of the tour. Former Indian Test captains Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble have had their say on who they think will come out on top.

Speaking during a webinar on Thursday, organized by L&T Financial Services Mutual Fund's annual conclave The Winner's Circle, the two legends of Indian cricket gave their predictions on the upcoming series.

Anil Kumble believes that the result in the first Test match will hold the key in deciding in which direction the series will go. “Since India is starting the Test series with a pink ball, that'll be the biggest challenge," Kumble said. "If we can stay ahead in the first Test match then India has a great chance to repeat what they did in the last Australia tour. Although with [Steven] Smith and [David] Warner coming back, and then Virat [Kohli] missing the three Test matches will obviously be a big factor for India. But having said that, there's enough ability within the team, be it batting or bowling.” 

"The bowling - we probably match our fast bowling to their fast bowling. The batting again matches, [but] I think we are ahead [of Australia]. So if we can get ahead in the pink-ball Test match - which obviously is Australia's strength: they've done really well in Adelaide whenever they have played a pink-ball Test; so if India can sort of get ahead against Australia in the first Test, then I will back India. But if that doesn't [happen], then it is going to be a tough ask without Virat as well in the next three [Tests],” Kumble added.

For Rahul Dravid, India will need to find another Cheteshwar Pujara, or for Pujara himself to replicate his heroics from the 2018/19 tour. "Who is going to be our Pujara from last time? I'm saying [that because] Pujara scored 500-plus runs last time, [so] you [are] going to need one of your batsmen [to repeat that]. Either it is going to be Pujara himself - obviously, it can't be Kohli because he is not going to be there for the whole [tour] - but you are going to need one of your batsmen at least in my opinion over the four Test matches to get you something like 500 runs,” opined Dravid.

Dravid substantiated his stance, saying that India has the bowling to pick 20 wickets. "I do believe we have got a bowling attack that can take 20 wickets in those conditions. They will be challenging conditions: Australia will try and put out conditions which will support the quality of fast bowlers. So will we be able to match that?”

”I think we will be able to get 20 wickets over five days. [But] will we get a batsman who will get 500-plus runs for us in the series [or not] might define it; if we can get that, then we give ourselves a great chance. If one of Smith and Warner, who missed the last series, get that then they [Australia] probably will have the edge,” said Dravid, who himself top-scored for India in the famous 2003/04 season in the Border-Gavaskar series with 619 runs.

[ESPN Cricinfo input]