Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1st Test Preview: It’s advantage Ashwin against Australian left-handers

New Delhi: Both sides are gearing up for the much-anticipated clash in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A lot has been already said by the players in different interviews and press conferences, while the cricket world has a close eye on the crucial series. The course for WTC will also be decided with the 4-match Test series.

While India won the last series and broke the Gabba’s fortification, Australia seems ready to take up the spin challenge in India. The last Border-Gavaskar Trophy witnessed Virat Kohli leaving for parenting duties while other senior players including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and others getting injured, still Indian youngsters under Ajinkya Rahane fought and won the series. This time, Australia is the one witnessing injuries in Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cameroon Green.

India looks strong at home

Nagpur is expected to be a turner and Ravichandran Ashwin with his partner in crime Ravindra Jadeja returning looks like a monster to the visitors. Playing three spinners or not is the question and there might be a chance that India decides to include Kuldeep Yadav as well in the attack. With Shami and Siraj, India’s bowling attack looks settled while there the fifth bowler is yet to be decided.

With Shubman Gill being in a brilliant touch, it will be difficult for the selectors to sit him down. There might be a chance that Gill will open along with Rohit and KL Rahul will bat in the middle order. India will surely miss the services of their Gabba hero Rishabh Pant and Srikar Bharat is likely to replace him.

Australia’s success depends on batters and Lyon’s roar

If not a big turner, Indian pitches offer the batters to build big partnerships and that is what Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne love to do. Smith has a great record in India and with Usman Khwaja and Travis Head in tremendous form, the Aussie batting line-up looks settled. The only problem can be the inclusion of too many left-handers in front of Ashwin’s off-break.

Australia’s pace attack will be led by captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland is all set to play his first overseas Test. The bowling attack depends much on Nathan Lyon, who on turning pitches can dismiss even the best spin-playing batters in the world. Australia has to make a choice between playing seasoned Ashton Agar or bringing in Todd Murphy to debut with his off-spin. Having part-time spinners in Labuschagne, Smith and Head can be an advantage to the visitors, remember Joe Root’s five-wicket haul in India?