Ashes battle still the pinnacle, but Test captain Tim Paine says showdown with powerhouse Indians closing gap

National skipper Tim Paine will spend the winter training with his Tasmanian teammates, plotting the downfall of India this summer in a series that carries as much spice as the Ashes.

Australia celebrate after claiming victory to retain the Ashes in England last year. Picture: RYAN PIERSE/GETTY IMAGES

THE Ashes remain the pinnacle for Australia Test players but the growing rivalry with India is almost on par, according to Test captain Tim Paine.

And although the hostility of previous series between the two nations has seen sledging “tip too far to quite an aggressive nature”, Paine said his outfit will not be taking a backward step this summer.

Tim Paine celebrates with the Urn after Australia drew the series with England to retain the Ashes last year. Picture: RYAN PIERSE/GETTY IMAGES

Paine has resumed training with his Tasmanian teammates ahead of the highly anticipated showdown again Virat Kohli’s men later this year, where Australia will put its recently regained No. 1 ranking on the line.

Having returned from England last year with the Ashes and sweeping the home summer, the side is now plotting revenge on an Indian side which claimed its first ever Test series victory on Australian soil in 2018-19.

“An Ashes series is always going to be hard to beat, I think this is a pretty clear second at the moment though,” Paine said.

“There is a really nice rivalry that has been growing for a number of years and I think the Indians getting a world class pace attack has probably added to that.

Virat Kohli of India (left) watches Tim Paine of Australia (right) batting on day four of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and India at the MCG in 2018. Picture: AAP/HAMISH BLAIR

“Teams are getting more competitive in each other’s backyard as well, which again makes it all the more enthralling to watch.

“For an Australian and English cricketer the Ashes is hard to beat because of the passion and the dislike I suppose, but India certainly is growing and I think moving forward it is going to be pretty much on par with the Ashes.”

India's Rishabh Pant has a laugh with Tim Paine during Day 2 of 4th Test match between Australia and India at the SCG. Picture: PHIL HILLYARD

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A highlight of the series two years ago — which Australia lost 2-1 missing suspended stars Steve Smith and David Warner while Marnus Labuschagne had also not elevated himself to one of the best batsmen in the world — was Paine’s subtle sledging from behind the stumps.

It was a far removed from tensions which have marred previous showdowns and while insisting the hosts will be no pushovers, Paine said both teams have a responsibility to behave appropriately.

Shane Watson (L) and Gautam Gambhir eye each other off after an earlier clash during the first day of the Australia v India third test at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.

“At times with Australia and India it has probably tipped too far to quite an aggressive nature, but I think the last series played out here was played in good spirits.

“I expect with the quality of players coming back into our team, this one will probably go up a notch, but again I think everyone out there are clearly role models in India and Australia.

“There are going to be millions of people watching, we have to behave accordingly and we certainly will.

“But there will be no backward steps.”