AUS vs IND: 1st Test Preview – The most-anticipated Test of the year begins

Tim Paine’s Australia and Virat Kohli’s India will take on each other at the Adelaide Oval in the first Test on Thursday. It is a Day/Night Test – India’s first away from home, and second overall. Meanwhile, Australia have played 7 D/N tests, and have won all of them.

Although India defeated Australia last time around in their own backyard in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (2-1), the hosts were then missing the services of their star players Steven Smith and David Warner. Though Warner is missing this Test due to an injury, Smith is up and running, and is in great form.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Virat Kohli is only available for the 1st Test this time. Ishant Sharma has been ruled out of the tour, and Rohit Sharma will only be available for the final 2 Tests. India will look to start the series on a high and then hope to carry the momentum forward.

Match Info:

Match 1- Australia vs India

Venue- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Time – 9:30 AM IST

Head To Head:

Stat Attack:

Nathan Lyon needs 10 wickets to complete 400 Test wickets, he will be the 3rd Australian bowler to reach this landmark.

Steve Smith averages 128.15 versus India in Australia, he has scored 769 runs 8 innings.

Mayank Agarwal needs 26 runs to complete 1000 Test runs, he will be the joint-2nd quickest Indian to reach this landmark in terms of innings (18th innings).

Team News:

Australia:

While Australia are naturally a stronger side than they were last time around, a few injuries in the recent past have caused a bit of a headache for the head coach and the selectors. The primary concern is that of the opening spot after David Warner has been ruled out of the first Test due to a groin injury. Will Pucovski has also been ruled out due to a concussion blow he suffered in the first practice match against India A. Joe Burns has been in poor form post the lockdown while Marcus Harris is likely to start in any case. The fast bowlers have gotten sufficient rest, and Paine would be raring to unleash his famed trio against Kohli and Co. Cameron Green is set to make his Test debut provided he passes the fitness test.

India:

The two practice matches seem to have solved some key issues for the First Test- the 2nd opener, the 3rd pacer, and the wicket-keeper. Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the first Test, so India have decided to start with Ravichandran Ashwin as their primary spin option. Most of the batsmen have batted themselves into form because of the practice games, and it shall be interesting to see how they approach one of the best fast bowling trios in the world at home. India have also opted to persist with Prithvi Shaw at the top and Wriddhiman Saha with the gloves.