Bumrah is injured, Iyer is out for the 1st Test, and Surya and Bharat are making their Test debuts. The question raised- Will India start the match as Favourites? 3 days later – India won the Test in 2.5 Days with Australia all out in a session. All the talk around the pitch got into the heads of the Aussies so much that they couldn’t play the actual game that was to be played on the ground.
The recent talks are going around the BGT 2021 comeback of India, but Aussies are in that situation this time. Experts declared a 4-0 whitewash in favour of India now.
Can Australia do a Gabba? India hasn’t lost any test match at Delhi in the last 33 years, will history repeat itself? Let’s find out this in our preview.
Date and Time: 17 February, Friday, 9:30 AM IST
Streaming Platforms: Star Sports Network and Disney Plus Hotstar app and website
Team Previews
India
The Indians started the series on a bang and that too without much assistance from the pitch (wasn’t any rank turner and was a typical subcontinental wicket). The Spin twin Ash/Jaddu did their job with the ball. Jadeja got the Man of the match for his brilliant all-round display. Rohit Sharma put on a show to bat on the turning wickets again where others struggled.
Negatives For India
But is everything right with India? No, their batting is a huge concern, especially the middle order and the 2nd opener. Apart from Rohit, Axar and Jadeja, no batter was up to the mark. India has to find out how they could fit Gill for the next match. The Test form of Virat Kohli is a huge concern and the stylish opener Lokesh Rahul hasn’t done anything in Test Cricket in the last 10 odd innings(Rahul is averaging 28 from 2019 and Virat is averaging 26 in tests from 2020).
Australia
Australian media started the series with so much hype around the pitch that it was louder than the series itself. Aussies have to find a way to do well in both batting and bowling departments. Especially the bowling as you can’t concede 400 where your batsmen got all out in a session and the inability to play spin needs to be pointed out. Debutant Murphy took a 7-wicket haul but didn’t get the support from Lyon and company. Cummins was ordinary too.
There is not much positive about the Aussies. The only positives from the match were Steven Smith getting some time in the middle and Marnus looking good.
Must to do for the Aussies
Australia needs to see David Warner’s record in the subcontinent and find a way to draft in Head. A left-arm spinner (Ashton Agar) should also play in the 2nd test.
Pitch Report/Venue Report
The match would be played at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium (New Delhi)
With the New Delhi climate already warming high, the conditions will remain slow and dry. Pat Cummins & company can expect another typical turner in Delhi. Delhi is known for its slowish and low bouncy track as it is on the north side of India with black soil around it. Wicket will play well for the first couple of days and there will be help for the seamers early morning.
- Average 1st innings total-342
- Average 2nd innings total-316
- Average 3rd innings total-237
- Average 4th innings total-165
Probable Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Australia: Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon
Players to Watch Out For
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja with his all-around skills is the most lethal weapon in tests played in India. His secondary skill batting has been as good as his bowling in the last 4 years. He is averaging 50 with the bat in the last 4 years and 21 with the ball in India. Jadeja would also carry the confidence of MOTM’s performance in the last match.
Rohit Sharma
The Bradman of Indian Tests. Rohit Sharma has been a revolution since he started opening in Test Cricket. He is averaging 59 in tests from 2019 with a sample of over 30 innings. His ability to dominate from ball 1 makes him different in the subcontinental conditions. He will be a key with his captaincy also.
Steven Smith
Indian Bradman Rohit Sharma has all the stats in India, but the real modern-day Bradman Steven Smith will look to steal the show. He has an impressive record in Asia and his style of play is very suited for these Indian pitches. Smith will be the X factor for Australia.
Nathon Lyon
Nathon Lyon didn’t make the impact that Australia would have expected from him in the 1st Test. Being the lead spinner, he has to do better. Lyon has all the skill set to succeed in India and Australia would be hoping for a good series from their greatest off-break bowler.
IND vs AUS Fantasy Team for 1st Test
Note: This is the best team based on the current scenario. The final team will be posted on our telegram channel “Clan For Gamers” after the toss.
Match Prediction
- We predict India to win this match and retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
- Nathan Lyon would take a fifer in either inning.
- 2 of India’s top 4 would score 50 in the first innings.
