BGT 2024: Preview of the Thrilling 1st Match Between IND and AUS

The 5-match series between India and Australia will start from 22 November 2024 with the Test to be played at Optus Stadium, Perth. So far 56 Test matches have been played between India and Australia under the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Out of these, India has won 24, while it has lost 20.

IND vs AUS Preview

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia starting on 22nd November is no less than a litmus test for Team India. This series, part of the World Test Championship, is important in many respects. The Indian team has faced a shameful defeat in the Test series against New Zealand at home by 0-3. This has reduced the morale of the team. This series is very important for India to reach the final of the Test Championship. If India wins this series 4-0 then it will be a strong contender to qualify for the finals, but if it does not happen then it will have to depend on the results of other teams.

Captain Rohit was already unavailable for this match, but after this Shubman Gill also got injured which increased India’s worries. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will take command of the Indian team in this match to be held in Perth. Gill was injured a few days ago during an intra-squad match and it is almost certain that he will not play in this match. However, bowling coach Morne Morkel had said on Wednesday that any decision regarding Gill would be taken before the start of the match on Friday morning. Gill comes to bat at the third position, so it will be interesting to see which player the Indian team management will pick in his absence. Devdutt Padikkal can bat at number three in place of Gill. KL Rahul can open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul recently opened in the unofficial Test against Australia A. Rahul also could not perform impressively for India A and scored four runs in the first innings and 10 runs in the second innings. 21-year-old all-rounder Nitish Reddy may get a chance to be included in playing 11laying-11 for the first Test match against Australia. Morkel had hinted at Nitish getting an opportunity. If Nitish is successful in making a place in the playing-11, then he will debut in the red ball format from this match.

Match Details & Live Streaming

Date & Time November 22, 7:50 AM IST

Venue Perth Stadium, Perth

Broadcast & Live Streaming Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar

Weather and Pitch report

Perth’s pitch is known for its pace and bounce. However, the Optus Stadium uses a drop-in pitch, which is prepared away from the field and later installed in the square. This makes possible subtle changes in the nature of the wicket.

The AccuWeather app estimates that the temperature in Perth will be around 30 degrees centigrade during the first Test match. That means the weather will be ideal for playing cricket. However, due to rain and some grass on the pitch on the first day, the captain who wins the toss may opt to bowl first.

Probable Playing XIs

India:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (c)

Australia:

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins (c), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc