India’s tour of Australia enters it’s final and most awaited stage as the two teams will clash in a four match test series that will begin from December 17. The two teams shared the spoils in the limited overs format as India clinched the T20I series 2-1, whereas Australia won the ODI series with the […]
India’s tour of Australia enters it’s final and most awaited stage as the two teams will clash in a four match test series that will begin from December 17. The two teams shared the spoils in the limited overs format as India clinched the T20I series 2-1, whereas Australia won the ODI series with the same scoreline.
India played a four match test series against Australia in 2018-19, which they won 2-1. However, that Australian side was without the services of David Warner and Steven Smith, who were suspended for their involvement in the ball tempering incident. Marnus Labuschagne who rose to prominence in the Ashes series against England is also a vital addition to the Australian batting lineup.
The first test match will be day/night affair at Adelaide, with the remaining tests at Melbourne, Sydney and at Brisbane. Australia enter the series as the clear favourites after their dominant victories over Pakistan and New Zealand last summer.
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The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli will be unavailable for the last three test matches as he was granted a paternity leave to fly back home, awaiting the birth of hid first child. In his absence, Ajinkya Rahane, vice captain of Team India will lead the visitors. Missing a player of Virat’s stature will be a huge blow for India.
If India has to remain competitive in the series, the batsman will have to keep chipping in with good performances. Mayank Agarwal is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma, who makes a return to the Indian squad after missing the T20I and ODI series. Cheteshwar Pujara, who had a good outing against Australia in 2018-19 is expected to come in at number three. In the first practice test match, Saha was chosen over Rishabh Pant in the playing eleven, and it will be interesting to see who takes over the duty behind the stumps.
In Virat Kohli’s absence, Shubman Gill might fancy himself getting a game or two, coming in at number four. Prithvi Shaw and Lokesh Rahul are additional opening options for team India.
Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the T20I series and Mohammed Shami was also given a rest for the last two T20Is. Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the Test series two weeks earlier. Hardik Pandya will fly back to India and will miss out on the test series. Pandya is still making a comeback from his back injury, and he was not available as a pure all-rounder against Australia, being unable to bowl.
The third pacer for Team India will likely be Umesh Yadav whose experience can play a vital role in the series. Among other options are Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj. In the spin bowling department, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be fit again after suffering a concussion in the first T20I, which kept him out of the remaining matches. He is most likely to be accompanied by Hanuma Vihari who can play a decent role as a part time spinner if India decides to go in with four pacers.
India Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav
David Warner has been ruled out of the first test after suffering a groin injury in the second ODI against India. However, Australia possess the services of Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who were in tremendous touch last summer. It will be crucial for the India bowlers to not let either of the two players settle in as once they get their eye in, they are destined to score big runs.
The middle order will comprise of Travis Head, Matthew Wade and captain, Tim Paine who have done a decent job in the past, when they are called up on to. The bowling department will comprise of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood and Nathon Lyon, as the lead spinner.
One particular aspect the Indians will be wary of is the ability of the Australian tail to accumulate good runs in the end. India have found it difficult to get rid of the tail playing overseas, notably against England in 2018 where Sam Curran played blinders coming in from the lower-order.
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Australia Squad: Tim Paine (wk and captain), David Warner, Joe Burns, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Will Pucovski, Michael Neser, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, James Pattinson, Nathon Lyon, Mitchell Swepson.
The test series is expected to be an exciting clash between the two heavy weights of the game. However, Australia are the certain favourites, heading into the series.
