AUS vs IND: 1st Test Preview – Cricket heavyweights gear up for a riveting Test series

India is all set to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they lock horns with Australia in a five-match Test series, beginning with the first encounter at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 22.

India has had a stranglehold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since they won it back in 2017. The Asian giants won their two most recent Test series on Australian soil by an identical 2-1 margin. However, the 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand earlier this month must have dampened their spirits and raised some self-doubts.

India will have to forget the debacle and focus on the task at hand. There isn’t the experience of a Cheteshwar Pujara or an Ajinkya Rahane to rely on this time. The youngsters in the team will have to step up and give good support to out-of-form veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, the former won’t be playing this encounter and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in his absence.

Australia will be confident about their chances of emerging victorious as they have a very well-rounded side. Apart from Nathan McSweeney, who will open the batting on his international debut, all the players have enough experience on the big stage.

Australia’s lethal pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood would be raring to go and off-spinner Nathan Lyon will have an important role to play, especially in the second innings. Meanwhile, Steve Smith returns to his favourite No. 4 spot and the legendary batter would like to stamp his authority from the get-go in the five-match series.

Pitch report

The Optus Stadium in Perth is expected to have a pitch that will provide bounce and movement aplenty for the pacers. There is a possibility of rain in the morning on Day 1 and that could force the captain who wins the toss to bowl first. The pitch could also offer variable bounce and the batters need to be wary.

Predicted Playing XIs:

Australia: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana/Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah