The most awaited Test series of the year is upon us with two powerhouses – India and Australia – set to lock horns at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur from Thursday. In the build-up to the series, a lot has been spoken about the pitches, which will be on offer but both teams have focused on their preparation.
The visitors have serious injury woes as Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc have been ruled out of respective injuries. Furthermore, Steven Smith hinted that Cameron Green might not play as a pure batter as he is not fit for bowling.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out with a back injury and thus either Shubman Gill or Suryakumar Yadav could get their chance in the middle order. Both of these batters have been in prime form in the white-ball formats and it will be interesting to note who will get the nod in the final XI.
India’s vice-captain KL Rahul has suggested that the home team could be tempted to play three spinners, on a pitch that is expected to assist spin. Thus, Australia will have their work cut out and especially their left-handers could be troubled by Ravichandran Ashwin.
Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon will lead Australia’s spin attack and it will be interesting to note who they will back among Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson, and Todd Murphy.
Match Prediction: India will start as favorites against Australia as they are a force to reckon with in their own conditions.
India (first two Tests): Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
Australia: Pat Cummins (Captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
