What To Expect From Day 1 of AUS vs IND 1st Test In Perth?

Jatin

AUS vs IND 1st Test will commence on Friday, November 22 [Sourec: @cricket.com.au/x.com]AUS vs IND 1st Test will commence on Friday, November 22 [Sourec: @cricket.com.au/x.com]

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is here and this time, it is going to kick off at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 22. With Australia looking to nail their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and India fighting to keep their hopes alive, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Perth's Optus Stadium, with its pace-friendly surface, promises a stunning start to this high-voltage series. While not as hostile as the WACA, the pitch is still expected to offer bounce and carry. Persistent rain earlier in the week has limited pitch preparation, which might level the playing field.

Both sides are coming into this game with their own set of challenges. The Aussies will aim to reclaim their glory after memorable Indian wins on their soil in 2018-19 and 2020-21. On the other hand, India carries the weight of a recent home series loss to New Zealand. As the first ball approaches, let’s take a closer look into what to expect from Day 1 of the first AUS vs IND Test.

The Battle of the Captains

For the first time in a while, both sides will be led by bowlers. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, has been in sensational form as a leader, with a WTC title and an ODI World Cup win to his name.

Jasprit Bumrah, taking charge in Rohit Sharma’s absence, is stepping into the limelight as captain in Test cricket for the second time.

Both will look to set the tone with the ball. Bumrah’s sharp mind against Cummins’ experience will be a battle within a battle, one that could define the opening day.

Australia's Opening Combination

Australia’s biggest talking point heading into this Test is their opening pair. With David Warner’s calling time on his career, the opener’s role has been handed to young Nathan McSweeney, who is set to make his debut. Although the youngster has shown glimpses of his potential in domestic cricket, this is a trial by fire against an experienced Indian bowling attack.

Furthermore, the strongest pillars of the Aussie batting lineup in Tests, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will also be under immense pressure. Labuschagne has been in abysmal form since the Ashes 2023 with a dismal average under 30 in Tests whereas Smith hasn’t been at his best in the last year. Day 1 could either be a redemption story or another chapter of missed opportunities.

India’s Youngsters And Batting In Focus

India’s lineup looks far from its strongest, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unavailable and Mohammed Shami sidelined. This has opened the door for emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Dhruv Jurel to showcase their mettle.

KL Rahul is likely to open in Rohit’s absence and all eyes will be on him. He’s been a bit of a hit-or-miss lately, but Perth could be the perfect opportunity for him to find his rhythm again.

As for Virat Kohli, 2024 hasn’t exactly been kind to him in Tests, but let’s be real, he’s still the big gun in this Indian lineup. With 1,352 runs in 13 Tests Down Under, including six centuries, Kohli knows how to shine in Australia. If anyone can step up and deliver, it’s him.

A Spicy Surface and Potential Cracks

The Perth surface is expected to provide something for everyone. Early moisture might favour the pacers with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood ready to exploit the conditions. As the day progresses and the sun beats down, the pitch could harden further and offer true bounce for the batters. The cracks, a typical feature of Perth pitches, could come into play later in the day, and that’s when spinners will start dominating

Conclusion

Day 1 has all the ingredients for a thrilling start to the series. Both teams will be itching to draw first blood and the first day of this first Test could very well set the tone of the series.