Australia vs India: First Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Underway at Perth’s Optus Stadium

The highly anticipated first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India has commenced at Perth‘s Optus Stadium. This series marks a significant showdown between two cricketing powerhouses, with Australia aiming to break India’s dominance in the trophy, which India has held for the last four series.

Australia, led by captain Pat Cummins, is considered a strong favorite, especially given their home advantage. Cummins expressed confidence in his team’s current form, stating that the side is “well placed at the moment” and “the most settled as a side we are”.

For Australia, Nathan McSweeney is set to make his Test debut, opening the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. The Australian team is relatively settled, with a strong lineup that includes Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood.

India, on the other hand, is facing several challenges. With regular captain Rohit Sharma absent due to the birth of his second child, Jasprit Bumrah is leading the team. India is also without star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test. The team is expected to hand debuts to Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and possibly Harshit Rana. The Indian lineup includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravi Ashwin, and Mohammed Siraj.

The Perth pitch, known for its fast and bouncy conditions, is expected to play a crucial role in the series. Nathan Lyon’s performance on this pitch could be pivotal, given his impressive record at Optus Stadium.

The series is not just about cricket; it also highlights the camaraderie between the players. Ahead of the series, captains Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins shared a heartwarming moment discussing their experiences as fathers, showcasing a softer side to their intense on-field rivalry.

The first Test is being broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo in Australia, and fans are eagerly anticipating the intense competition that this series promises to deliver.