India v Australia - Test ground profiles

India and Australia are so closely matched on paper these days that it could pay to take a closer look at the venues for the four Tests in the series, starting on October 9. Each one has its own history and Bangalore, Mohali, Delhi and Nagpur each offer something different for both teams to cope with.

1ST TEST - BANGALORE
Perhaps a strange choice of venue as the opening Test because India's record there is not that impressive. The home side has won just four and lost six of the 17 Tests there, so the omens are not that great. Indeed, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan have all won there in recent years.

With a capacity of just 40,000 it is a fair size, but of late, the pitches there have been pretty bouncy. We may, though, expect a turner, if India choose to play to their undoubted spin strengths.

2ND TEST - MOHALI
A great-looking stadium that was transformed in 1994 after a huge renovation programme. What was one of the best pitches for pace bowling in the country changed into a relatovely slow pitch and as the table below shows, batting actually becomes easier on days two and three.

India may have won just two of the seven Tests to be played there but they have lost just one, so if they manage to arrive in Mohali level, then they will be fairly confident of at least keeping it that way heading to Delhi.

3RD TEST - DELHI
The Feroz Shah Kotla celebrates its 125th anniversary this year but is in the midst of an overhaul, which has been slow but necessary.

A relatively small ground, by Indian standards, it is famous for big Test feats, the best of all probably Anil Kumble's 10-wicket haul in a single innings against Pakistan.

Not particularly easy to score big on, India nevertheless have a decent record there, winning 10 of the 29 Tests, and losing just six. A draw, though, is likely to start as the favourite.

4TH TEST - NAGPUR
Expect Sachin Tendulkar to do well here - three of his Test hundreds have come on this ground - while India have won two, lost two and drawn five of the nine Tests there.

What was formerly a slow, dull pitch, changed after it was relaid in 1999 and in recent years it has become a pitch on which the fast bowlers can prosper, as shown by Australia when they won there in 2004 on the way to their only series win in India since 1969.

This looks a result pitch, which should make for a pretty exciting finale to the series.