Perth, Australia

The time has come for the talks to end and action to begin. After countless days of buildup to the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) between India and Australia, the first Test will get underway at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday (Nov. 22). With stakes at an all-time high, considering the spot in the WTC Final on the line, this five-match series promises to be a blockbuster. Here is the match preview of the first Test between India and Australia.

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Perth Test preview

India and Australia locking horns in whites anywhere worldwide is a treat for fans, broadcasters, statisticians, and, more importantly, history. With Australia hosting this BGT, being the ranked number one Test side and the team not to win a Test series at home against India since 2014/15, they have plenty to play for.

ALSO READ: ‘Rohit’s return to cause ‘disruption’ in Indian camp’ – Ponting echoes Gavaskar’s remarks on BGT captaincy

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The hosts had top-order woes to solve before this series, and following two shadow matches between Australia A and India A, they zeroed in on uncapped Nathan McSweeney as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the series opener. Though Cameron Green is out for six months, having undergone back surgery, Australia’s batting order looks sorted. 

Captain Pat Cummins will lead the three-men pace attack in the bowling department, with Mitchell Starc and a surprise package in Scott Boland sharing duties; Nathan Lyon, Australia’s highest wicket-taker in this attack, will play as the lone spinner.

Considering Australia has never lost a Test at the Optus Stadium, with Marnus Labuschagne averaging above 100 with the bat, they will bank on their batting to stand tall in the first Test.

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On the other hand, India had plenty of issues to deal with ahead of the opener after suffering a maiden whitewash at home against New Zealand; although they tried answering all questions, a few were left unattended. With regular skipper Rohit Sharma, new number three Shubman Gill, and ace seamer Mohammed Shami all out for different reasons, the visitors are likely playing two debutants in Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana.

Meanwhile, several reports suggested that two new faces, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, will be part of the XI, with ace all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin preferred over Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. 

Besides, with no Rohit around, Jasprit Bumrah will captain India in the first match, leading the pace attack, including Mohammed Siraj.

Result Prediction

Australia will head into the series opener as favourites, although Team India can still challenge them on the bouncy Perth wicket, with newcomers raring to go.

Predicted Playing XIs 

Australia – Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland/Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon

India – KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana