India vs Australia: Would not be surprised if Tests against India get a little fiery: Cummins

Australia's top pacer Pat Cummins on Friday said matches in upcoming Test series against India could get "a little fiery", reflecting ir intense rivalry in a far cry from some friendly banters that marked preceding limited overs leg.

big-ticket four-match series begins with a day-night game in elaide from December 17.

"I wouldn't be surprised if with players getting baked in sun a couple of more hours each day, Test matches get a little fiery," Cummins said during a virtual press conference.

"I think it's ( tour) been quite friendly in terms of banter - you see a lot of smiling faces around. That said, you see a lot of quick bowling out re, lots of batters taking game on.

"So, I won't say that actual match play has been overly friendly, it's been really competitive and hard.

"How we play game reflects who we are as people and for most part, Aussie team is a pretty relaxed bunch, we like a bit of a laugh, so let's see what happens in this series." One of world's best fast bowlers, Cummins is looking forward to challenge of bowling to Indian captain Virat Kohli, who has alrey become one of game's greats after a dece of brilliance with bat.

"I'm happy I don't have to bowl to Steve smith. I saw Kane Williamson's double hundred last week. So, I'm pretty gl I'm t playing re (in New Zealand) as well.

"I think when you are in moment, you try and maybe lift ( rivalry with opposition batsman) a little bit. You sense it at wicket when someone walks out re." He has grown up watching legendary duels between likes of Glenn McGrath and Brian Lara.

"In terms of how it affects overall storyline, I don't think about it too much. But growing up as kids, y are kind of contests that you tuned into TV.

"I remember (Glenn) McGrath bowling to (Brian) Lara; you h to watch it because you knew something was going to happen. I like being in those moments, let's see what happens this summer." Seen as future Australia skipper, Cummins also said he doesn't see any problem with a bowler captaining a team in international cricket.

"I feel out of all formats, Tests are easiest for a bowler to captain. You are busy and you got to be out re… putting a lot of effort into your bowling.

"That said, re's a bit of time that's afforded to you in Tests, game moves at a slightly softer pace. I kw re haven't been too many bowling captain's but I don't understand why it has to be a batter…" Cummins is expecting "a bit of pace and bounce" from wickets when his side takes on India in upcoming series.

"First of all, just a fair balance between bat and ball. I don't think a Test match where a team can go and bat and get 600 runs is good viewing for anyone, so hopefully a really fair contest.

"Obviously here in Australia we want conditions that reflet Australia and I think best Test matches here have been when it's got a bit of pace and bounce in wickets.

"elaide Oval here is been a really good wicket each time I have played, so that's what I'd be asking for bit of pace and bounce and hopefully bit of spin for (Nathan) Lyon too," said Cummins when asked what kind of surfaces he would like to have.

Cummins was specifically asked wher Aussie quicks h me any plan for India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara.

Pujara h been Australia's nemesis when Indians visited Down Under last time.

"To be honest, we haven't really spoken yet, we have only got into camp a couple of days, so I am sure we will sit down and have couple of meetings, and like we do in most training sessions, as bowlers we talk with each or and come out with some plans.

"I'll concentrate on what I do well as a bowler and same for or guys, of course you might tweak your plans, slightly for a certain batter, but hopefully couple of years on, we are all little-bit better equipped as bowlers and see what happens." Pujara was bowled in first warm-up game by Australian pacer Micheal Nasser, and Cummins said he h seen highlights.

"As bowlers we are worried about what we want to do and of course it ( short-ball) is a weapon that we like to use, of course here in Australia as well slightly bouncier wickets, trying to push batter back, so we will see what happens.

"I can't see it being too much of being a heline grabber this summer." Cummins played his last Test against New Zealand in January earlier this year, but he said that has been playing games.

" good things this time around we have got 8-9 days leing here in elaide. So today I probably got out re and bowl 8 overs or so, simulating a Sheffield Shield match, so I don't see too much of problem as long as I am playing and bowling quite a bit (with) high intensity.

"... Played 20 (matches) or so in last couple of months, so I feel like I am used to playing a game, its slight tweaks as we move into longer form of cricket," he signed off. Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be brocast live on Sony Six and Sony Ten 3 channels. 

Im credits: AP