IND vs AUS 1st Test Match Preview, Lineups, Pitch Report & Dream 11 Team Prediction

India will take on the Mighty Australian side for the 1st Test at VCA Stadium in Nagpur on 9th February Thursday for the 4-match Test series, IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 1st test will be continued from 9 to 13th February. This will be the 16th edition of the BGT series. India is the current holder of BGT. They have won 9 times, while Australia has claimed 6 times. It is currently playing through the International Cricket Council's Future Tours Program, with varying timings between matches. If the series is drawn,

IND vs AUS 1st Test Match Preview:

Match Details :
Match: India vs Australia – 1st Test
Venue: VCA Stadium, Nagpur
Date & Time: 9th February at 9:30 AM (IST)
Where to Watch Live: Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar

Read also: Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Most runs for India in a series

Pitch Report: IND vs AUS 1st Test

Whenever India hosts a Test match or series, the pitch always seeks attention. In the last International home season, some rank turners were made, and it was criticized by the overseas media. The track in Nagpur is a typical Indian track, where the batters will love their time out there in the middle in the initial days of the match. However, the pitch in Nagpur is looking a bit different this time around. A special section of the pitch looks very dry to trouble the left-handers. Australian batter Steve Smith said in the pre-match that the drier section will certainly play a part. Smith also said that there won't be a good amount of bounce on the track as well, and the seamers can also enjoy the up-and-down bounce on the pitch.

The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur will help the pacers early on in the innings with the new ball. However, it will stay true and aid the spinners throughout the game. The batters will get the full value of their shots and shot-making won't be difficult after getting set. The average 1st innings score at this ground is 345 runs. on the other hand, the 4th innings score has been 209 runs. It is certain that the pitch will get tougher for batting as the match goes on, and the captains would want to bat upon winning the toss.

An early look at the Nagpur pitch 👀 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/S3BIu7qti8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 7, 2023

Head-to-Head Stats:

Matches Played (Test)	102
IND Won	30
AUS Won	43
Tied	1
Draw	28
First Played	28 November 1947
Last Played	19 January 2021

Team News:

India:

Rohit Sharma's Team India is going to take on the mighty Aussies from 9th February. Rohit Sharma recently missed every important series for injuries & health issues. India needs to register a clear two-match victory to qualify for the World Test Championship Final. India's biggest miss will be Rishabh Pant who has been the match-winner for India in recent times. Kl Rahul could start with Rohit or he can tuck in as a no 5 Batsman. Ishan Kishan hasn't lived up to the mark from the time of his arrival. Shubman Gill is in absolutely tremendous form but India also needs a wicketkeeper. Here comes the name of KS Bharat. India might go with him or Ishan Kishan for the 1st Test.

In the Bowling department, Siraj is in beautiful form meanwhile, Umesh Yadav might start for India. India has to go with three spinners. Jadeja is coming back from injury but Kuldeep Yadav's form might keep Jadeja away from the first XI. Axar Patel is also back and Ashwin will surely start for the Indian Side.

Australia:

This is going to be the third test series for Pat Cummins as a Captain. He doesn't have the option of Starc and Hazlewood. It could be a big problem for them. But Travis Head and Ashton Agar will complement Nathan Lyon as this is their biggest option.

Australia's biggest strength is its batting. Usman Khawaja recently won the Award for being the Best Batsman of 2022 in Tests. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne both are the most dangerous batsmen who can cause trouble for the Indian Bowling side. Labuschagne was the leading run scorer in the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Travis Head is also in great form so the Aussies will not go easy over India. It will be an interesting battle to witness.

1st Test: Injury Update

Australia will miss the services of two of their premier pacers in Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Cameron Green will also miss the test. Meanwhile, from the India camp Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah have been ruled out for the IND vs AUS 1st test in Nagpur. Scott Boland & Lance Morris might be in the Playing XI.

Possible Playing XI: IND vs AUS 1st Test

India:

1. Rohit Sharma(Capt)
2. Ishan Kishan(WK)
3. Chteshwar Pujara
4. Virat Kohli
5. KL Rahul
6. Suryakumar Yadav
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Axar Patel
9. Ravichandran Ashwin
10. Mohammed Siraj
11. Umesh Yadav
    
    

Australia:

1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Steve Smith
4. Marnus Labuschagne
5. Travis Head
6. Alex Carey(Wk)
7. Ashton Agar
8. Pat Cummins(Capt)
9. Nathan Lyon
10. Scott Boland
11. Lance Morris

IND vs AUS 1st Test Dream 11 team Prediction: