The most anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will kick start on Thursday. This series has created a lot of buzz in the cricketing world with prolific players both sides have in their squads. Australia are yet to win a Test series in India since 2004 whereas India previously lost the home series back in 2012.
Match Details:
India vs Australia, 1st Test
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur
Date & Time: February 9th-13th at 9:30 AM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar
What is the pitch report for IND vs AUS, 1st Test?
The ball is expected to turn from day one and the toss will play a crucial role in this match. Both sides will be fielding a spin-heavy side considering the nature of the surface. Reverse swing will come into play as the ball gets older.
Nagpur 📍
ARE YOU READY❓#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/JgRsLTZFIp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2023
Recent form:
India: Won Won Lost Won Won
Australia: Draw Won Won Won Won
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Probable Winners:
India are expected to win this match.
Permutation-combination for the #INDvAUS Test series opener❓#TeamIndia | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/njzAzGLNEp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2023
What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for IND vs AUS, 1st Test?
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill / Suryakumar Yadav, Kona Srikar Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Australia
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Todd Murphy / Ashton Agar, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
Australia’s five Tests in Asia last year has them feeling a little more comfortable in the subcontinent.
Listen to Pat Cummins on the Unplayable Podcast here: https://t.co/WGT3ftq8qq pic.twitter.com/2efWwSdWGg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 8, 2023
Injury Updates:
India: Shreyas Iyer is ruled out of the 1st Test with a back injury.
Australia: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Cameron Green are not available for the 1st Test due to injuries.
What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for IND vs AUS, 1st Test?
Top Pick – Batter
Cheteshwar Pujara has become a villain for Australia over the years in this longest format and his record against them is fascinating. In 20 Tests, he has amassed 1893 runs at an average of 54.08 with the highest score of 54.08.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Ravindra Jadeja will be making his comeback to the National side after completely recovering from a knee injury. He is a major threat to the opposition on the spin-friendly tracks. The 34-year-old all-rounder has scalped 242 wickets and scored 2523 runs in his 60 Test matches.
Top Pick – Bowler
Nathan Lyon is not new to the Indian conditions as he has featured in 7 Test matches before, picking up 34 wickets with the best figures of 8 for 50. He will create more chances in close cordons by hitting the right areas consistently.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Alex Carey has a lot of work to do behind the stumps as a wicketkeeper as he will be playing his 1st Test in the Indian subcontinent. In his 15 Test matches, he has scored 633 runs at an average of 39.56 and has taken 56 catches.
X-Factor:
Ravichandran Ashwin is a major trump card for India both the bat and ball. It will be icing on the cake for him to bowl in the ideal spin conditions and he can score useful runs down the order as well. In 88 Test matches, he has picked up 449 wickets and scored 3043 runs.
What are the fantasy suggested teams for IND vs NZ, 3rd T20I?
1. Alex Carey, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Steven Smith, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Travis Head, Axar Patel, Nathan Lyon (vc), Pat Cummins
2. Kona Srikar Bharat, Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Cheteshwar Pujara (vc), Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Ravindra Jadeja (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Mohammed Siraj
Nathan Lyon has endorsed uncapped spinner Todd Murphy as Australia skipper Pat Cummins declined to reveal his side’s XI ahead of tomorrow’s opener in Nagpur | @LouisDBCameron | #INDvAUS https://t.co/tLvrfQjcM8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 8, 2023
Pre-Match Analysis:
India has lost only 2 Test matches since 2012 and won 15 home series on the trot this clearly shows the records are in their favor. No Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer in the mix allows opportunity in the middle order for Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Kona Srikar Bharat. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper Kona Srikar Bharat is all set for his Test debut. Lokesh Rahul who is not up to the mark lately in the longest still keeps his place in the side and will open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. The all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel are highly destructive on the turning tracks. It’s a significant series for them as they are eyeing a place in the ICC Test Championship Final. The experienced duo of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara has a point to prove here.
Australia didn’t play any tour games ahead of this series citing India will provide contrasting surfaces which don’t help them to get used to the spin-friendly conditions. They have come fully prepared for this tour with a clear vision of winning the series in India which is equivalent to Ashes as said by the Team members. They lost the 4 matches series 2-1 when they last toured India in 2017 under the leadership of Steven Smith. It’s a different side now with a bowling captain Pat Cummins who is excited to lead the side in the challenging conditions. Peter Handscomb will be considered for a role in the middle order ahead of Matt Renshaw. Either Ashton Agar or Todd Murphy will partner Nathan Lyon as a 2nd spinner. It’s likely to be the last Test series in India for veterans David Warner and Usman Khawaja. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Cameron Green are unavailable for selection due to injury concerns.
