The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches, not only due to the competitive spirit of the two teams and the history of the series but also because of the unique circumstances surrounding it.
Australia, the holders of the ICC World Test Championship 2023, will aim to assert dominance on home soil under the efficient captaincy of Pat Cummins. India, on the other hand, is coming off a rare 0-3 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand—their first such loss in 12 years—and will look to prove their mettle as their World Test Championship final aspirations hang in the balance.
Top Three Concerns
A full-strength Indian side would ideally feature skipper Rohit Sharma opening alongside the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal, with the in-form Shubman Gill at No. 3. However, Sharma is currently away following the birth of his second child, while Gill is reportedly sidelined with a thumb injury, making them unavailable for the series opener.
KL Rahul, an experienced opener, is likely to step in, having returned to training after an elbow injury scare. Devdutt Padikkal, retained after solid performances in the India A series against Australia A, could slot in at No. 3. Padikkal’s height and reach may give him an edge on Australian pitches, although his inconsistency against pace in the nets raises questions. Abhimanyu Easwaran is another contender but seems unlikely due to poor outings in similar conditions during the India A matches.
Middle Order Favorites
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are expected to occupy the No. 4 and No. 5 slots, respectively. Dhruv Jurel appears to be the frontrunner for the remaining spot after his under-pressure knocks of 68 and 80 in seaming conditions during the second India A-Australia A match. Jurel, with three Tests under his belt, has also impressed in practice sessions, making him a strong candidate for Perth.
All-Rounder and Bowling Options
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has been working closely with Nitish Kumar Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder who adds depth to the lineup. Reddy could complement the pace attack while alleviating the workload on specialist bowlers. Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to take the spin-bowling all-rounder role, given his dominance over left-handers, including key Australian batters Usman Khawaja and Travis Head. Ravindra Jadeja, though part of the squad, appears less certain to feature in the first Test, as he did not bowl in recent practice sessions.
The Pacer Conundrum
The race to partner Jasprit Bumrah in the pace department is intense, with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana all in contention. Rana’s performance in the nets has garnered attention, but Siraj’s impressive record in Australia and Krishna’s ability to exploit bounce make the final decision a challenging one.
Series Schedule
Following the Perth opener on November 22, the second Test—a day-night fixture—will take place in Adelaide from December 6-10. Brisbane’s Gabba hosts the third Test from December 14-18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7, promising an electrifying finish to a much-anticipated contest.