India favourites in Australia: Katich

Former Australia batsman Simon Katich believes India should be considered favourites to claim their first-ever Test series win in Australia next summer.

In 40 years of touring Down Under, India are yet to taste a Test series success, losing eight (including the past four), with three finishing drawn.

From 44 Tests played, they have won just five, including just two of their past 27, dating back to 1985.

But the historical data counts for little, according to Katich, who believes Virat Kohli's team is well placed to give a weakened Australia a serious run for their money.

"India deserve to be favourites given the cricket they have played, the quality in their Test team at the moment and the way Virat Kohli is leading them," said the ex-Test and ODI batsman, who is in India as Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coach.

The hosts will be without the two batsmen who have provided a large chunk of their runs in the past five years in suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner, as well as opener Cameron Bancroft, who was also banned during the ball-tampering scandal that rocked the cricket world.

Together, Smith and Warner have made 41 of the nation's 77 Test tons since 2013.

Last time India toured, Smith made centuries in all four Tests, while Warner scored three as Australia claimed a two-nil triumph. 

Katich did suggest their absences would "also give some Australian batsmen (the chance) to make their mark in Australian conditions."

The 42-year-old played 14 Tests against India during his decorated career, including four at home during the famous 2003-04 series, and added home advantage would even the ledger.

"Certainly, it won't be the best Australian team because then you would have had those three but we would still have good bowling attack and that the series is being played at home is a positive," he said.

"I don't think it will be a walkover for India because if the wickets suits Australian quicks and Nathan Lyon to an extent, then Australia will have a pretty good advantage in the series.

"I look forward to a really good series."

India are currently the world's No.1-ranked Test team but suffered a 2-1 series defeat to begin a year that shapes as a defining one in the Kohli era, with tours of England (five Tests) and Australia (four) still to come.

"I'd say we are still 80 per cent (of our potential)," Kohli said of the Test team in February as he looked forward to the tours of England and Australia.

"When we are able to achieve what we want to in the two tours, we'll be more content.

"But our 80 percent is also exciting. To be a world-class side, you have to be 100 per cent."