Perth [Australia], November 20: The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia is set to kick off on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. This opener promises high-octane cricket as both teams face unique challenges amidst their fierce rivalry.
Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will aim to assert their dominance on home soil after securing the ICC World Test Championship 2023 title. India, however, comes into the series with much to prove following a rare 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand earlier this year. With their World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes hanging in the balance, India is under pressure to deliver a strong performance.
India’s Potential Playing XI
Top Three
In a full-strength lineup, India would rely on skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, followed by an in-form Shubman Gill. However, Sharma is currently unavailable, celebrating the birth of his second child, and Gill’s thumb injury likely sidelines him for the first Test.
Experienced opener KL Rahul is expected to step in, having batted at the top for much of his career. Despite an elbow injury during practice, Rahul returned to the nets and focused on refining his technique. At No. 3, Devdutt Padikkal may get the nod. Padikkal showcased promising form in India A matches against Australia A and his Test debut suggests he could adapt well to Australian conditions.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, another contender, may miss out due to struggles against pace and bounce during recent matches.
Middle Order
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are locked in at No. 4 and 5, respectively. Dhruv Jurel is a strong candidate for No. 6 after standout performances in India A matches under challenging conditions. His debut Test series against England also highlighted his ability to perform under pressure.
All-Rounders
Bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to feature at No. 8, providing pace and batting depth. Reddy’s ability to bowl tight lines complements the team’s pace attack, a role previously filled by Shardul Thakur in overseas assignments. For spin, Ravichandran Ashwin seems favored, particularly given his strong record against left-handed batters—a key weapon against Australia’s left-heavy lineup. Ravindra Jadeja, though present in the squad, did not bowl during recent practice sessions.
Bumrah’s Bowling Partner
Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling partner remains undecided among Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Akash Deep. Harshit Rana has been impressive in practice, but Siraj’s experience in Australia may give him an edge. Prasidh Krishna, known for his sharp back-of-a-length deliveries, is also in contention.
Key Challenges and Conditions
The Optus Stadium pitch, featuring the same clay as the iconic WACA, is expected to offer pace and bounce—ideal for fast bowlers. However, rain disrupted practice sessions on Tuesday, delaying the pitch’s preparation.
India must overcome its relative inexperience, particularly in the top order, to counter Australia’s seasoned lineup. Players like Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Nathan Lyon will pose significant challenges, while India’s bowlers must exploit favorable conditions to gain an edge.
Series Schedule
- 1st Test: November 22-26, Optus Stadium, Perth
- 2nd Test (Day-Night): December 6-10, Adelaide Oval
- 3rd Test: December 14-18, The Gabba, Brisbane
- 4th Test (Boxing Day): December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground
- 5th Test: January 3-7, Sydney Cricket Ground
The series promises an exciting contest between two cricketing giants, culminating in what could be a decisive final Test in Sydney.
