Australia are still favourites, says India batsman Ajinkya Rahane

The five-match campaign is due to get under way in Adelaide on Thursday, with the tourists looking for a first-ever series victory Down Under

Ajinkya Rahane has insisted that Australia remain favourites for the upcoming Test series against India.

The five-match campaign is due to get under way in Adelaide on Thursday, with the tourists looking for a first-ever series victory Down Under.

With Australia struggling for form and still without both Steve Smith and David Warner, some commentators have suggested that India are in the box seat but Rahane is wary of the threat that the Aussies pose on home turf.

"I feel that any team that plays at home, they feel really good, and I feel that Australia are still the favourites to win the series," he said.

"We are not going to take them lightly at all. Yes, they will miss Steve Smith and David Warner but I don’t think they are vulnerable.

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"You see their bowling attack, they’ve got a really good bowling attack, and I think to win Test matches, you need to have a really good bowling attack. So I feel that Australia are really still the favourites."

Rahane says that India's batsmen will need to be on top form to give their team a chance.

"Each and every batsman's role will be to contribute for the team and I think for us it is important to get those long partnerships together (like last time). That will be really helpful in (winning the series) in Australia," said Rahane, who referenced a bumper stand of 262 with Virat Kohli at the MCG on his country's previous visit.

"Last time both of us really enjoyed that partnership at the MCG. Mitchell Johnson was going after Virat Kohli and I was enjoying from the end as well as playing my own game. Virat at the other end was really aggressive and going after the bowlers, verbally as well. 

"That really helped me focus on my game and I played my natural attacking game at the other end. But I was still batting completely opposite to Virat. As an individual you have to understand that everyone's role is completely different. This is a team sport and Virat also understands that."