India and Australia will face each-other in the first Test of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series. The match will begin on 22nd November at Optus Stadium.
Match Preview:
The echoes of Brisbane 2021 still linger, a historic India’s victory down under. But, this time, it will be a different story and situation. After a poor and bruising home-series against New Zealand now India will face a much stronger opponent at their backyard.
India’s recent setbacks have shaken confidence in what’s otherwise a world-class team. After winning back-to-back series against Australia, they would have been favourites in this series. But after losing to New Zealand and losing Rohit Sharma because of paternity leaves, Mohammad Shami due to fitness issues, and Shubman Gill due to a thumb fracture, things may seem shaky for the Indian side.
For India to even dream of a third straight World Test Championship final, a clean 4-0 sweep over Australia is essential, a task that feels as improbable as India’s football team defeating Brazil in a FIFA friendly. But to write India off, is a big risk as through their grit and determination they have defied the odds time and again, for example, the 2021 India-Australia Test series.
On the flip side, Australia is eager to settle scores after India’s dominance in recent years. The series carries the weight of history. Australia has often been the stage where Indian careers have been made or unmade. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar excelled at these pitches, while others, like Dilip Vengsarkar, faced their professional sunsets here.
For veterans like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, this series is another moment of reckoning, where results might shape their futures in the game.
Nevertheless, the spotlight will be more on bowlers as both of the teams have unsettled and out of form players. While Steve Smith and Marnus have a great record at home, their recent performances were full of questions. Travis Head will also be making his comeback after missing the series against Pakistan.
Talking about India, Kohli hasn’t been up to mark in the recent Test series against New Zealand. Much of hope will be on Pant and KL Rahul as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel, yet to play a game in Australia.
Probable Playing XI:
Australia: NA McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, TM Head, MR Marsh, AT Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, SN Khan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), DC Jurel, K Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, JJ Bumrah (C), Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
Pitch and weather report:
The pitch will be a classical Australian pitch with tons of grass on it and tend to support pacers and under overcast conditions, pacers will gain much more help. A captain who wins the toss should bat first. The average score has been 456 on this ground and anything under 150 will be easily chaseable in the 4th innings. So, a captain who wins the toss should bat first.
The weather in Perth is shaping up to add some intrigue to the first Test. Showers have already made an appearance in the lead-up to the game, and there’s about a 25% chance of rain on the opening day, particularly in the morning. Nevertheless, after day one of the game there is not much of a rain prediction.
Head-to-head record:
India and Australia have faced each other in 102 matches in Tests. India have won 33 while Australia came out victorious on 43 occasions.
Prediction:
Although India have won two consecutive series against Australia, the home side is still favourite to win the 1st Test match of the series.
Where to watch:
India: Disney+Hotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad
Others: Willow TV
