IND vs AUS: India is about to begin their upcoming hectic test schedule with the first home test against Bangladesh. There has been much buzz around India’s next 10-match test schedule, which comprises a 2-match home Test series against Bangladesh and then followed by an immediate 3-match red ball series against New Zealand.
The most anticipated among them is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is often one of the finest red ball tournaments played between the two modern-day greats of Test cricket. These two teams have emerged as the biggest rivals in test cricket, after England and Australia.
Also, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a monopoly for both the Aussies and the Indians whenever they play on their own land, and now it has been won by the Indian side four times in a row, with all of them being played in India.
However, this time around players like Marnus Labuschagne have exclaimed that they might not have been able to win the series for long; however, they are a good team and will target their victory. While skipper Pat Cummins also exclaimed that this has been the only trophy they have not won in a long time, he has also lauded India’s greatness and strengths as a team.
After Aussie kingpin batter David Warner retired from Test matches, their master batter, Steven Smith, could be seen opening the innings alongside Usman Khawaja. However, Smith has not been relishing the role, as it often hampered his form until the 90+ score against the West Indies.
However, the Aussie management has now made an official announcement that Steven Smith will be back in his role as a no. 4 batter, while their star white-ball opener, Travis Head, who has been a part of the red-ball team for a long time now, will be promoted up the order as an opener.
Usman Khawaja and Travis Head will be their new opening pair from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While Labuschagne and Steven Smith will be the middle-order batters at no. 3 and no. 4. Now, as Head is promoted from no. 5 to the top, both all-rounders, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green, might be likely seen as batters at no. 6 and no. 5.
Alex Carey and the three pacers alongside Lyon might be seen among the tailenders. The Indian team is also looking to make subtle and realistic changes to their squad, which they identified from the Duleep Trophy.
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With the likes of Rohit Sharma and young Yashasvi Jaiswal likely being the openers, Shubman Gill is doubtful at No. 3 since his form has been a major concern. Hence, India’s new head coach Gambhir might be trying out new batters at the position, while following veteran Kohli at second down, players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, and Sarfaraz Khan have been suitable for the middle order.
India has the most suitable set of Test all-rounders, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin being picked by the ICC as the top two in the men’s Test all-rounder rankings. While Axar Patel has also been important for the role, as his batting prowess down the order adds to his excellence.
Next, India’s pace attack might be spearheaded by Mohammad Shami after his return and the vice captain Jasprit Bumrah. They still remain in the hunt for their third pacer, as Akash Deep emerges as their ace option to be included in the role, while now, after his maiden call-up, even Dayal turns himself into a contender for the role.
Hence, before the BGT this year, the Indian team is likely to undergo many major changes, which might be among the middle-order batters as well as their pace bowling deck.
India is also in the quest to avenge their loss in the WTC final last time, as the defending champions might be the second team again to make it into the World Test Championship final alongside Team India for the third time, after their two initial losses.