India is gearing up to take on Australia in the much-anticipated first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. After securing consecutive series wins in Australia under the leadership of Virat Kohli (2018-19) and Ajinkya Rahane (2020-21), Therefore Team India aims to make history by clinching a third successive series victory. However, the Australians, bolstered by a strong bowling attack, are determined to halt India’s dominance on home soil.
Team Dynamics
India will be without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma for the opener, as he is on paternity leave. Adding to the challenges, Shubman Gill has been ruled out due to injury, leaving a fragile batting lineup to face Australia’s fiery pace attack. India must win at least four of the five matches to secure a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final, making this series critical.
Australia, on the other hand, enters with a formidable bowling unit led by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Though their top order appears inexperienced, they rely heavily on key players like Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne to anchor their innings.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Perth Stadium promises to assist fast bowlers with its pace and bounce, especially during the initial phases of the match. While seamers are expected to dominate early, batters may find opportunities later as the surface settles.
| Pitch Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Pace Bowling Support | 70% |
| Spin Bowling Support | 30% |
| Batting-Friendly | 65% |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 456 runs |
Key Highlights
- India’s Challenge: Moreover Missing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill; reliant on a struggling batting order.
- Australia’s Strength: A lethal pace trio combined with experienced middle-order batters like Smith and Labuschagne.
- Pitch Insight: Additionally Seamers will enjoy early movement, with batting conditions improving later.
- Historical Rivalry: India leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series after memorable back-to-back victories in Australia.
- WTC Stakes: India needs four wins out of five matches to stay in contention for the 2025 Final.
Probable Playing XIs
Australia Squad
- NA McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, TM Head, MR Marsh, AT Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Bench: JP Inglis, SM Boland
India Squad
- KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, SN Khan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), DC Jurel, K Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, JJ Bumrah (C), Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
Bench: Rohit Sharma, AR Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna, RA Jadeja, H Rana
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Form |
|---|---|
| Australia | W, W, W, L, L |
| India | W, W, L, W, L |
Injury and Availability News
- India: Rohit Sharma (paternity leave) and Shubman Gill (injury) are unavailable.
- Australia: No major injuries; the squad is at full strength.
With both teams eyeing a strong start, this showdown promises to be a thrilling contest. Will India continue their winning streak in Australia, or will the hosts regain control in their backyard? The answer awaits in Perth.
FAQ
1. What is the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious Test series played between India and Australia, named in honor of cricket legends Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. It has become a symbol of intense rivalry and high-quality cricket.
2. Why is Rohit Sharma unavailable for the first Test?
Therefore India’s captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test as he is on paternity leave for the birth of his second child.
3. What are the key challenges for Team India in this match?
India faces a struggling batting lineup, the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill’s injury. Additionally, they must adapt to the pace-friendly conditions at Perth.
4. How does the Perth pitch impact the match?
The Perth pitch offers significant pace and bounce, favoring seamers, especially in the early stages. Batters may find conditions easier as the game progresses.
5. What are the stakes in this series?
For India, winning at least four out of five matches is crucial to securing a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship Final. Australia aims to reclaim dominance and break India’s winning streak in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.