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Test series defeat to Kohli's India still annoys me: Tim Paine

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 11/24/2020 12:00:27 PM

New Delhi, Nov 23 Australia's Test captain Tim Paine has conceded the historic series defeat to India in 2018-19 still "annoys" and "grinds" him but insisted that the hosts are looking forward to doing well against Virat Kohli's side in the upcoming 4-Test series, starting December 17. India are in Australia for the much-anticipated tour, which will get underway from Friday with a 3- match ODI series. The 4- Test series will be played from December 17 and India head into the contest as the holders of the Border- Gavaskar Trophy. A Virat Kohli-led touring side outclassed Tim Paine's hosts 2-1 in the 4- Test series as India registered their first-ever Test series win against Australia in Australia. The hosts were without Steve Smith and David Warner as the prolific run-scoring duo were out serving their bans over the ball-tampering fiasco. "Certainly for me sitting back it still annoys me that we lost that Test series. Whether we had Steve or David or not you don't want to be losing any Test matches or Test series you're involved in, so that still grinds me a little bit," Tim Paine told 2GB's WWOS radio, as quoted by Fox Cricket. Steve Smith and David Warner are going to be a crucial part of Tim Paine's side as they look to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy from India. Both Smith and Warner have produced some memorable performances since returning to the Test side, which looks a well-oiled unit in the presence of several match-winners. Tim Paine believes that the addition of Smith and Warner will give the Australian Test side a different outlook and that all the boys in the squad are pumped up to do well against India.