IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins hints at playing debutant Todd Murphy, keeps mum on final XI ahead of Nagpur Test
Todd Murphy likely to debut in Nagpur against India, hints captain Cummins
Australian captain Pat Cummins on Wednesday, Friday 8th hinted that off-spinner Todd Murphy could be making his Test debut against India in Nagpur. Speaking from the team hotel on the eve of the first Border-Gavaskar Test, Cummins said several factors will come into play while deciding the best XI. Two days before the start of the marquee series, the pitch at the VCA stadium was watered but in selective patches - while the curators watered the middle of the surface and areas outside the right-handers' off stump at one end, they left it dry on good lengths outside the left-handers' off stump on the other ends. Pat said the team management hasn't talked about that in particular yet but feels it could still play a role in finalising the XI.
"I think it is a factor over here. With so much traffic from the right-handers bowling, at times there is a bit more out there for the left-handers. The Indian line-up is going to be packed full of right-handers, so I think it plays a small factor," Pat said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Speaking highly of uncapped Todd Murphy, who by now was behind Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson in regards to playing as a second fiddle to Nathan Lyon, has emerged as a front-runner to play as the fourth bowler. Cummins feels with too much to offer for the off-spinners against the right-handers, keeping in mind India's expected XI too, both Murphy and Lyon could come in handy for the visitors.
"I think he'd be as prepared as he could be. He's been bowling beautifully in the nets over here. He's started really well for Victoria in first-class cricket. If he got the nod, he's got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with; he's ready. Everyone in the squad here has had really good preparation. Whoever we pick is 100% ready to go," Cummins added.
While it might be too big a risk to leave out two bowlers (Agar and Swepson) who could spin it away from the right-handed batters, Cummins added saying,
)
‘Kill all in the name of...’: FBI arrests 21-year-old over alleged ISIS-inspired mass-casualty attack plot
)
Space mines, lasers & robotic arms: Lt Gen Pannu decodes US disclosure of weapons in space
)
Bitter Zelensky snubs Trump for playing politics with Ukraine war | Gravitas
)
US fires up to 70 interceptors against Iran attack on Jordan, putting supplies under pressure
)
‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official
)
OpenAI boss Sam Altman repeats AI 'slow down' call, says world 'right to be afraid'
)
Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War
)
Sydney Sweeney defends provocative ad choice, the internet is still not impressed
)
India to host IPL 2027 auction; WPL 2027 auction set for late October in Kochi
)
Shahzad Bhatti Network declared terrorist organisation under UAPA: Govt order
)
'Definitely feel bad for yourself': Kuldeep Yadav opens up on India Test snubs
)
US, China dominate global economy: Where does India rank among the world's biggest economies?
)
Ex-India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh wants India to avoid 'massive changes' before ODI World Cup 2027
)
Ed Sheeran’s US tour loses all support acts after Macklemore’s removal | Controversy explained
)
Ex-England footballer Raheem Sterling pleads guilty in reckless driving and crashing his Lamborghini
)
China's property crisis deepens as investment plunges nearly 20%
)
Alex Saab, ally of Venezuela's Maduro, pleads guilty in US corruption case
)
Messi set to play in farewell match on October 6 in Argentina vs Benin friendly
)
Who was Eliana Moreno? NBC LA aerial reporter killed in Chatsworth crash
)
Putin-linked Russian oligarch, Melania links: Why Trump skipped his son’s Bahamas wedding bash?
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
Trump's name cannot return to Kennedy Center, US judge rules
)
Pakistan naval vessel returns to harbour with 'severe damage' after collision with Indian warship in Arabian Sea
)
Water equivalent to two Pacific Oceans could be stashed 2,900 km inside Earth
)
Ex-CIA officer caught with gold bars worth $40 million seeks plea deal | Gravitas
)
Pakistan: Imran Khan's sons Kasim & Sulaiman claim their father is 'tortured' in jail
)
Trump's Iran war faces fresh House rebuke; 7 Republicans join Democrats in push to end conflict ahead of midterms
)
US Treasury yields cross 5% as Scott Bessent warns of ‘global issues’ impacting bonds
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Who is Kalyan Bainsla, accused in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving woman biker?
)
Saudi Arabia discovers 110 million tonnes of Uranium-rich ore in Madinah region
)
Los Angeles helicopter crash: At least three dead, several injured; NTSB to investigate
)
India summons top Pakistan diplomat after Pak Navy ship collides with Indian warship at high seas
)
Saudi Arabia accuses Houthis of drone attack on Mecca, first-ever red alert in Islam's holiest site sparks panic
)
'Like a thug you are using agency to go after..': Kash Patel grilled by Senate Democrats over FBI firings, journalist investigations and hiring policy
)
Abhishek Sharma rises to No. 2 in T20Is; ENG’s Robinson 3rd after record Pakistan Tests
)
Canada to become EU’s first ‘associate member’? Von der Leyen proposes move amid US tensions
"It's a factor. These conditions, they really spin, so just really good bowling is what you're after, being consistent time and time again. I don't think you need to go searching for anything more; the conditions will come to you," the fast bowler added.
Meanwhile, other than this, Australia will also have to make a choice between picking Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw for number 6th spot, both of who had played Tests in India before. In absence of all-rounder Cameron Green, Handscomb - a specialist of spin bowling, could be chosen.
