We'll give 'em thunder Down Under," Australian wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh said in a television promo for the 1983-84 Test series against Pakistan. Later, Australia triumphed convincingly in the first Test at Perth but they could only clinch the series in the fifth and final Test at Sydney after three draws in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

This season, thunder has struck even before the first ball has been bowled in a Test out there. And there is only one team running for cover — Australia. The storm is so huge that the Virat Kohli-led Indian team shouldn't be blamed if they use Australia's fragile state as a vocal tool to earn bragging rights for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. And it shouldn't come as a surprise if the feisty skipper and his trigger-happy coach Ravi Shastri touch upon Australia's frailties during the arrival press conference.