Australia tour of India (2023)

[ex-q-zit]

Australia In India: Delhi Likely To Host Test After Five years, Dharamsala, Ahmedabad Also In Fray

Delhi will be hosting a Test match after more than five years when Pat Cummins' Australia travel to India for the high-profile Border-Gavaskar four-match series in February-March next year. Other centres which are strongly tipped to host the remaining Tests are Ahmedabad, Dharamsala and one among Nagpur or Chennai. The series will be very important as it will be the last four games for India in the second edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. In fact, in order to qualify for the summit clash, India might have to beat Australia 4-0, which could be a Herculean task for Rohit Sharma's men.

The series is traditionally a four-Test affair, but will be contested across five matches during the next ICC Future Tours & Programme (FTP), starting 2024.

As per the BCCI's rotation formula, Delhi, which has missed out during the two years of COVID-19 pandemic, is all set to get one of the Test matches. The city last hosted a Test against Sri Lanka in December, 2017.

"Delhi is likely to host the second of the four Test matches as of now. The dates will be out as and when the Tours and Fixtures committee hold its meeting. Dharamsala, which hosted its first and only Test almost six years back, against Australia in March, 2017, will probably host the third Test," a senior BCCI official told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

It is understood that Australia, in all likelihood, will start the series in either among Nagpur, Chennai or Hyderabad, as Bengaluru had hosted a Test match against Sri Lanka earlier this year. That was a day/night Test.

Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to host the series finale.

A decision is yet to taken on which of the four Tests will be a day/night affair.

The BCCI has so far hosted three pink-ball Tests -- the inaugural one in the country against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens, one against England at Motera and the last one was against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru.

Post the COVID-19-induced break, the BCCI has hosted eight Test matches with four against England in 2021 (Chennai and Ahmedabad ), two against New Zealand (Kanpur and Mumbai) and two against Sri Lanka (Chandigarh and Bengaluru).

NDTV

 

[MenInG]

Should be a cracker but wonder if Delhi pollution will be an issue?

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

It is always great to host Australia.
India and Australia provides best test matches

 

[MenInG]

Australia are set to continue with their policy of not playing any tour matches ahead of an away Test series when they arrive in India in February. Australia tour India for the first time since 2017 for a four-match Test series. They had not played any tour game ahead of their series in Pakistan in late March last year went on to win 1-0.

Head coach Andrew McDonald has said that they are instead looking to be creative in the creative in their own conditions to prepare for what they will encounter in India.

"No tour game is something we’ve done in the last few series, before embarking on overseas tours," he was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We feel as though we don’t need that match practice as such. We’re going to go to India about a week out from the first game. We didn’t want to press for too much longer, in terms of the preparation."

Australia batters had prepared on scarified pitches during a camp in Melbourne and arrived just a week before they arrived in Rawalpindi for their tour of Pakistan last year. The focus would be on preserving mental and physical freshness rather than arriving much early to play a warm-up game and acclimatise to the conditions, said McDonald.

“We feel as though seven days is ample time to get ready and to make sure we maintain freshness throughout the whole four Test match series,” McDonald said. We had some success doing that, going to Pakistan. We had a shortened period on the ground there."

"We can be creative in our own conditions. We’ve done it before with the Pakistan build-up in Melbourne. Dusting up wickets. Fit for purpose. Working with the local groundsmen who really help us in and around the country. We feel as though we can get as close to that as possible without necessarily having a practice game.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...says-head-coach-mcdonald-101672565935365.html

 

[MP2011]

Should be a cracker but wonder if Delhi pollution will be an issue?

Not in February-March. Besides, weather is extremely pleasent during these 2 months in Delhi.

 

[Monsee]

Watch out for a few key Aussie players to magically get injured/drop off (somehow) at the start of the tour...is it just me or this seems to happen every time a top team visits India; wonder what causes these repeat scenarios each time?

It is usually something that weakens the team tremendously and then they proceed to get soundly thrashed. Let's see how my predictions come true this time

 

[Gilly]

Watch out for a few key Aussie players to magically get injured/drop off (somehow) at the start of the tour...is it just me or this seems to happen every time a top team visits India; wonder what causes these repeat scenarios each time?

It is usually something that weakens the team tremendously and then they proceed to get soundly thrashed. Let's see how my predictions come true this time

I think its just you, unless you can give two or three examples of players magically getting injured before touring India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Should be a cracker but wonder if Delhi pollution will be an issue?

Not after January. AQI starts improving with the new year.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

If we do not make changes then it will be tough in the test series.
Not much bothered about shorter formats!

 

[SamNJ]

Australia's last tour of India was very good. At one point they looked favorites to take the series. All their main players stood up except Warner.

 

[Ab Fan]

India will miss Rishabh Pant for this series.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

IMO, we will lose this series.
Our best batsman and Australia's worst nightmare is injured and our batting lineup is the worst in last ten years.

 

[Sachin136]

Robot, Bumrah, and Jadeja should all be coming back. This should be a comfortable win even without Pant, though he’ll be dearly missed in the WTC final.

 

[Proactive_]

Australia need someone to step up big time to accompany Lyon in the spin department. Indian spin attack on dustbowls is relentless.. something no touring spin attack has been able to match since Panesar-Swann in 2012. Smith had an unbelievable series in 2017 but not sure if he can carry the batting line up to the same extent again.

 

[docteurmanish]

Rohit
Gill
Kohli ( likes the Aussies but is in very poor form )
Pujara ( will be good against Aussies )
Ayer
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bharat / Kishan ( have a feeling kishan will be in )
Bumrah
Shami
Yadav / axar / kuldeep

It’s a formidable lineup in indian conditions . Kohli is the main suspect batter . Rahul hopefully will be out

The bowling will be v strong . Pant will be missed but think bharat and kishan are able replacements . Bharat bats very well and is the best keeper in India besides the bengal keeper saha . Ishan can be as destructive as pant based on current form .

 

[BreadPakoda]

I think it’s just you, unless you can give two or three examples of players magically getting injured before touring India.

Last time India toured Australia, you guys dropped an in-form Warner (who smashed 335* against Pakistan) and replaced him with an out-of-form Warner who kept edging to the slips in the first few overs. I think that’s what [MENTION=81]Monsee[/MENTION] is alluding to.

 

[WengerOut]

Rohit
Gill
Kohli ( likes the Aussies but is in very poor form )
Pujara ( will be good against Aussies )
Ayer
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bharat / Kishan ( have a feeling kishan will be in )
Bumrah
Shami
Yadav / axar / kuldeep

It’s a formidable lineup in indian conditions . Kohli is the main suspect batter . Rahul hopefully will be out

The bowling will be v strong . Pant will be missed but think bharat and kishan are able replacements . Bharat bats very well and is the best keeper in India besides the bengal keeper saha . Ishan can be as destructive as pant based on current form .

Ishan should be in. India need a leftie in the batting lineup. Most probably that wont happen.

 

[sindhiboy]

Australia need someone to step up big time to accompany Lyon in the spin department. Indian spin attack on dustbowls is relentless.. something no touring spin attack has been able to match since Panesar-Swann in 2012. Smith had an unbelievable series in 2017 but not sure if he can carry the batting line up to the same extent again.

Toddy Murphy should be given a debut. He has 26 wickets in 6 fc matches averaging 25 with the ball.

I still think Agar will suffice as the Indian batsmen are in bad form.

The Australian batting will determine the results imo

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India will miss Rishabh Pant for this series.

Have to agree with my little bro here. India will surely miss Rishabh Pant. Hope to see him in action soon.

 

[Rajdeep]

Watch out for a few key Aussie players to magically get injured/drop off (somehow) at the start of the tour...is it just me or this seems to happen every time a top team visits India; wonder what causes these repeat scenarios each time?

It is usually something that weakens the team tremendously and then they proceed to get soundly thrashed. Let's see how my predictions come true this time

Please share some examples where top Aussie players magically drop off before an Indian tour. If anything, India is only series where teams like Australia, SA and even England play their main sides even in white ball cricket due to broadcaster demand. For example, Butler sat out entire 7 match T20 series in Pakistan keeping T20 world cup in mind but he would never do that in India. Likes of Smith, Warner etc who regularly skips white ball tours against smaller teams play every JAMODIs against India.

So you couldn't me more wrong.

India won in Australia last time though with all its main players out injured.

 

[MenInG]

Mitchell Starc is aiming to be fit for the second Test on Australia's Qantas tour of India after confirming he expects to miss the series opener with a finger injury.

Starc's middle finger of his left hand remains in a brace after he detached the tendon from the bone in the Boxing Day Test in the NRMA Insurance series against South Africa, leaving him unable to bowl.

The left-armer has been the second quick alongside Pat Cummins on Australia's most recent Test tours in Asia, where he averages less than 30 with his reverse swing.

Starc also plays a crucial secondary role in Australia's attack, creating footmarks for Nathan Lyon to spin the ball out of as he comes around the wicket.

The 32-year-old was considered a 50-50 chance of playing the first Test in Nagpur on February 9, but concedes that is unlikely ahead of the four-match series.

"That's probably likely (I will miss the first Test)," Starc told AAP at the launch of Amazon Prime's The Test documentary.

"We'll see how we're placed at the end of the month.

"Hopefully I am there for the second Test if they want to play me. Maybe I can make some footmarks for Gazza (Lyon) or something. We'll see how the finger is."

Allrounder Cameron Green is also expected to join Starc on the sideline for the first Test, leaving Australia short of pace bowling back-up.

Nagpur has traditionally been regarded as a big-turning wicket, with Jason Krezja taking 12 wickets there on debut in 2008.

Green and Starc's absence means Josh Hazlewood is almost certain to play his second Test in Asia since 2017, after he was overlooked for four of five matches in Sri Lanka and Pakistan last year.

Hazlewood impressed on his return from a side strain in Sydney last week, with his reverse-swing a feature in both innings.

"No qualms picking (Hazlewood), you know what you're going to get and it is quality," captain Cummins said.

"Getting four or five wickets on that wicket. Every time he bowled he looked threatening."

Scott Boland could also come into contention as a third quick with Green out, given Travis Head and others can act as spinners but there are no part-time pace options.

But Cummins said he would have no workload concerns on going into Tests with two sole seamers in India.

"Over there, you pick two spinners. You think it is going to be quite a spinning wicket," Cummins said.

"Travis Head, Marnus (Labuschagne), Smudge (Steve Smith). They all come into it a bit more.

"Generally if you're picking two spinners you're not expecting it to be a long game."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mit...finger-injury-boxing-day-australia/2023-01-09

 

[MenInG]

Australian men's squad for the Qantas Test tour of India
The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named the following 18-player men’s Test squad for the Qantas Tour of India.

The Australian men’s team plays Test matches in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Ahmedabad in February/March. A squad for three one-day internationals will be announced at a later date.

Australia:

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green ((WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Peter Handscomb (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Lance Morris (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Matthew Renshaw (QLD/Toombul District CC)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Mitchell Swepson (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe Cricket Club)
David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)

NB: Fast bowler Mitchell Starc will join the squad following the first Test in Nagpur.

Peter Handscomb, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson have been added from the last Test match in Sydney while Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc have been named in expectation of successful respective returns from injury. Marcus Harris missed selection.

NSP Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “After a successful home summer the squad is excited by the challenge a Test tour to the subcontinent provides. We have selected a squad that provides the depth and flexibility required to adapt depending on the conditions we may encounter.”

Bailey said the combination of left and right-hand batters, four specialist spinners and six fast bowlers, including allrounder Cameron Green, offers options in varying settings.

“Peter Handscomb deserves his place back in the squad,” Bailey said. “His domestic form has been strong recently and Pete has proven he can perform at Test level.

“His experience against spin on the subcontinent is valuable and he is also an exceptionally good close to the wicket catcher.

“Ashton Agar continues to impress following his comeback in Sydney and we believe left-arm finger spin will play an important role in Indian conditions.

“Mitchell Swepson has recent Test experience in the sub-continent and offers leg-spinning variety.

“Todd Murphy has progressed quickly having impressed in domestic cricket and recently with Australia A. With those performances Todd has emerged as a strong spin option.

“Selection in this squad also provides another opportunity to spend time alongside Nathan Lyon and assistant coach Daniel Vettori in India which will be invaluable to his development.

“The tour coincides with the resumption of the Marsh Sheffield Shield competition in Australia and the longer break between the second and third Tests may provide an opportunity to review the squad and make any further adjustments necessary.”

Australia will leave for India in early February.

 

[Devadwal]

Solid squad .its going to be interesting series as Australian batsman are in form of Their life while Indian batsman are last leg of their career.

 

[MenInG]

The All-India Senior Selection Committee also picked India’s squad for the first two Tests of the Mastercard Australia tour of India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The tour will kickstart in Nagpur from the 9th of February. This will also be the last edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which will be a 4-match Test series feature.

India’s Test squad for the first two Tests against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.

Note: Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion in the squad is subject to fitness.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

sarfaraz khan will feel missed out after all those runs he has smashed in the domestic cricket.
india will miss rishabh pant. unadkat who has done well in domestic is given yet another chance, he brings left hand option but i don't like his trundling pace. hope radeja clears fitness test.

rohit, iyer, jadeja are the ones who can counter spin in this squad.

 

[docteurmanish]

Good squad


Rohit - gill
Kohli
Ayer
Pujara
Kishan / bharat
Axar
Ashwin
Kuldeep / yadav
Siraj
Shami

Sky
Unadkat
Jadeja


Only issue is not many left handers . Kishan might come in place of gill as opener . Given aussie has offspin as main threat , fewer left handers not a bad think

Unadkat bowled well in bangladesh. He may be picked ahead of kuldeep / yadav on a bouncy wicket as he is the tallest and gets bounce at decent speed of 135 clicks .

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Missing Pant and Bumrah.
Not easy for India.

 

[WengerOut]

I see that Bumrah is not yet ready. For a guy who was selected and nearly played the SL ODIs and did not just coz BCCI wants him to be perfectly ready , there is something suspicious about him not available for a marquee test series a month later. 100% sure he would have played if it was the IPL.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Is scheduling a test in Delhi really wise at this time of the year? I mean the fog in Lahore gives you zero visibility these days. Can't imagine it being much better in Delhi.

Should be an amazing series though.

 

[Ab Fan]

Is scheduling a test in Delhi really wise at this time of the year? I mean the fog in Lahore gives you zero visibility these days. Can't imagine it being much better in Delhi.

Should be an amazing series though.

It will be better in February month. There will be swing and movement in the first hour of the day for sure which will keep pacers in contest as well.

 

[Desi Don]

Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Sarfaraz Khan in Tests is an insult to Ranji Trophy

 

[MP2011]

I see that Bumrah is not yet ready. For a guy who was selected and nearly played the SL ODIs and did not just coz BCCI wants him to be perfectly ready , there is something suspicious about him not available for a marquee test series a month later. 100% sure he would have played if it was the IPL.

For sure, he'd have played with extreme pain had it been IPL.

Indian cricket should move on from Bumrah.

 

[daytrader]

India Series Will Be Acid Test For Pat Cummins: Allan Border
Cummins began his captaincy stint winning the Ashes 4-0, then won against Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. Australia also drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka away from home last year.

Australian great Allan Border is mighty impressed with Pat Cummins' captaincy but said the upcoming four-Test series against India will be his real "acid test and the final frontier". Australia will begin the marquee Test series at Jamtha from February 9 as they eye their first series win in India in 19 years. "That is going to be the acid test for him and the team," Border was quoted saying by ABC Sport. Having been elevated to the hot seat after Tim Paine's sudden resignation ahead of the Ashes 2021, the Aussie pace spearhead has had a golden run.

Cummins began his captaincy stint winning the Ashes 4-0, then won against Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. Australia also drew 1-1 with Sri Lanka away from home last year.

...
https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/india-series-will-be-acid-test-for-pat-cummins-allan-border-3693460

 

[docteurmanish]

Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Sarfaraz Khan in Tests is an insult to Ranji Trophy

There is something they know about sky which we don’t know . But rational for selection is very simple imo

- he is in form
- oppositions fear him
- he can play pace and spin with ease .

Each and every indian batter this series selected looks like in form

Rohit
Kohli
Gill
Pujara
Ayer
Sky
Kishan
Rahul

Axar , ashwin , jadeja ( he is yet to prove fitness )
Shami , siraj , unadkat , Unmesh

I think not selecting sarfaraaz against a team like aussie for a marquee series is not that bad a decision , he will get his chance in the next cycle . Pujara is on his last legs and sarfaraaz will be his replacement . India beginning to look more and more bazball .

 

[ex-q-zit]

Ravindra Jadeja to join Saurashtra Ranji Trophy squad on Sunday

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will join the Saurashtra team in Chennai on Sunday for its final league match of the Ranji Trophy.

“His training and workload will be as per the National Cricket Academy (NCA) protocols,” Saurashtra coach Niraj Odedra told Sportstar after landing in the city.

The 2019-20 Ranji Trophy champion will face Tamil Nadu at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium from Tuesday, January 24. Jadeja last featured in a Ranji Trophy game in November 2018. Saurashtra, on top of Elite Group B with 26 points, lost its last match against Andhra in Rajkot by 150 runs.

“In fact, I had sent Jaddu a WhatsApp text saying that the boys are really excited to have him back. He immediately wrote back saying he is looking forward to catching up with the team. It’s been a while since he played Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra. A player of that calibre joining the team is a huge morale boost as well,” Odedra added.

Jadeja, who has been out of action since August 2022 due to a knee injury, was named in the 17-man squad for the first two Tests of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The first Test will be played in Nagpur from February 9, followed by the second in Delhi and the final two in Dharamshala and Ahmedabad.

Absence of Rishabh Pant, who is recovering from a car accident, further amplifies left-hander Jadeja’s importance for the upcoming series. In the last three years, Jadeja has 31 Test wickets at an average of 25.16, including one five-for. He has been equally impressive with the bat, scoring 679 runs at an average of a shade under 40, including two hundreds and three fifties.

Sportstar

 

[Bhaijaan]

This has the potential to be a cracker of a showdown. Australia are in a very healthy state as a test team and India is almost approaching the 2011-2013 phase, it could go terribly bad for us very soon if we don’t handle the transition smartly this time. Took us 3-4 years last tome to turn it around.

 

[MP2011]

Good from Jadeja.

Unlike Kohli who doesn't ever play FC cricket no matter what, there are still some Indian cricketers who still give some importance to FC cricket.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Good from Jadeja.

Unlike Kohli who doesn't ever play FC cricket no matter what, there are still some Indian cricketers who still give some importance to FC cricket.

Both cases are different. Jadeja is coming back from a long injury back. Hence its better he proves match fitness by playing a match but Kohli's case is different. He has already scored 3 100s in recent matches. Its just a matter of time before he scores in tests as well.

 

[MP2011]

Both cases are different. Jadeja is coming back from a long injury back. Hence its better he proves match fitness by playing a match but Kohli's case is different. He has already scored 3 100s in recent matches. Its just a matter of time before he scores in tests as well.

It's not that Kohli never got injured during his career. But he never bothered to play FC cricket to prove his match fitness, did he?

Also, the format he has scored 100s is different from the format he is a complete failure in during last 3 years.

Had it been as easy to replicate form from one format to another, he won't have failed in tests continuously for 3 years.

 

[dravidthewall]

Best chance for Australia to win the series in india. All players are in form of their life. Specially Travis head.

 

[ex-q-zit]

It's not that Kohli never got injured during his career. But he never bothered to play FC cricket to prove his match fitness, did he?

Also, the format he has scored 100s is different from the format he is a complete failure in during last 3 years.

Had it been as easy to replicate form from one format to another, he won't have failed in tests continuously for 3 years.

Firstly, when was Kohli off for 6 months due tyo in jury and needed surgery? The only injury I remember was when he was injury during a test match vs AUS and missed the next test unlike Jaddu who was missing in action since August.

Secondly, Kohli didn't score a 100 in any of the 3 formats for 3 years. He 1st scored in t20 and then when he played ODIs in that too. Now he has 4 tests to play and has a good chance tos core against his favourite opposition.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Best chance for Australia to win the series in india. All players are in form of their life. Specially Travis head.

Usman Khawaja can pull an Amla here

 

[Devadwal]

Both cases are different. Jadeja is coming back from a long injury back. Hence its better he proves match fitness by playing a match but Kohli's case is different. He has already scored 3 100s in recent matches. Its just a matter of time before he scores in tests as well.

Virat should skip for 3rd ODI to prepare for BGT by playing a Ranji match .

 

[U$ofA]

Who are the second and third spinners for Aus?

Need to play 2 full time spinners and a part timer to win in India. Not the 4 seamers and 1 spinner strategy.

 

[U$ofA]

Best chance for Australia to win the series in india. All players are in form of their life. Specially Travis head.

What are the records of Labuschagne, Head and Khawaja in BIPS? More specifically, how have they fared in India against Ashwin, Jadeja and Co.?

 

[Raja111]

Hope Kohli scores big in the upcoming series. The last time he played the Aussies, He was runout and missed out on a well deserved ton (74) on a pitch where no one found it easy! (Aus lost 8 wickets before reaching 140 and India were bowled out for 36).

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Virat should skip for 3rd ODI to prepare for BGT by playing a Ranji match .

Agree.
But he won't do that, don't know what is the problem.

 

[HARKS]

Who are the second and third spinners for Aus?

Need to play 2 full time spinners and a part timer to win in India. Not the 4 seamers and 1 spinner strategy.

Many of us forget that Indian pacers are equally dangerous in our pitches, just as our spinners
Our pacers can match the Aus pacers , can Aus spinners can match Ind spinners, that where game will be decided

 

[MP2011]

Firstly, when was Kohli off for 6 months due tyo in jury and needed surgery? The only injury I remember was when he was injury during a test match vs AUS and missed the next test unlike Jaddu who was missing in action since August.

Secondly, Kohli didn't score a 100 in any of the 3 formats for 3 years. He 1st scored in t20 and then when he played ODIs in that too. Now he has 4 tests to play and has a good chance tos core against his favourite opposition.

He just won't play FC cricket, no matter what.

These are just semantics you're getting into.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Who are the second and third spinners for Aus?

Need to play 2 full time spinners and a part timer to win in India. Not the 4 seamers and 1 spinner strategy.

They have covered all bases.

Nathan Lyon is enough.

Left Arm Spinner : Agar
Leg break : Swepson
One more offie: Todd Murphy

Smith, Labu and Travis head can bowl few overs.

 

[U$ofA]

They have covered all bases.

Nathan Lyon is enough.

Left Arm Spinner : Agar
Leg break : Swepson
One more offie: Todd Murphy

Smith, Labu and Travis head can bowl few overs.

Have to disagree. One spinner is not enough. Sure Lyon is really good. But not enough.

The others you have mentioned barely played 10 tests and about 20 wickets between them. Too bad CA has failed to develop spinners to support Lyon.

As far as Smith, Labu and Head go, they will have their hands full with Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep. Should not be burdened with bowling.

 

[cricketjoshila]

This will be the toughest BGT for India at home in more than 15 years.

The batting is fragile and the two best players of spin are out with injury.

 

[daytrader]

How to win in India: Lehmann reveals Australia's best formula for upcoming tour

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has revealed who he think should partner Nathan Lyon and be the Aussies' second spin option for their upcoming tour of India.

The four-match Test series in India commences next month and spin is expected to play a massive role in deciding which team will be victorious and claim the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy and valuable ICC World Test Championship points.

Lehmann was in charge of the Australian team that last won a Test match on Indian soil back in 2017 and it was left-arm tweaker Stephen O'Keefe that was the match-winner on that occasion as he collected 12 wickets to stun the hosts in Pune.

And Lehmann has urged Australia to follow suit this time around and give fellow southpaw Ashton Agar the nod at selection - ahead of leggie Mitchell Swepson and uncapped off-spinner Todd Murphy - to partner Lyon as the second spinner in India.

Agar only has five Test caps to his name and went wicket-less during Australia's most recent Test match against South Africa in Sydney, but Lehmann expects conditions on the sub-continent to suit the 29-year-old.

"Having been there, I’m probably more inclined to play finger spinners," Lehmann said on Australian radio station SENQ.

"It just gets through the air quicker and some spin and some don’t. The leg-spinners sometimes spin it too much, if that makes sense… (for finger spinners) some skid on and you get beaten on the inside and you get an LBW.

"That’s probably why they’re looking at a finger spinner. We certainly did that four years ago (2017) and Steve O’Keefe bowled India out basically on his own in one of the last Test matches to win there.

"That’s why I’d be looking at someone like an Agar, bat a little bit, bowl as that second spinner."

The series in India will also be pivotal in deciding who finishes in the top two spots on the World Test Championship standings and qualifies to playoff in the one-off decider at The Oval in June.

Australia currently have a healthy lead over second-placed India at the top of the standings, but Sri Lanka and South Africa still have an outside chance of sneaking into this year's final.

Lehmann's old side only needs to avoid a 4-0 series whitewash in India to book their place in the final and the former Australia coach believes they have a well-balanced side to earn a positive series result.

He also thinks having the luxury of Swepson in the touring party will prove important, should conditions favour a leg-spinner being included at any stage.

"I can’t believe there was talk of him (Swepson) not going, talk about balance of the side, if you get to pick 18 players, you want a pretty balanced squad,” Lehmann added.

"Most of the time we only take 15 (players) over there. They’ve got the extra spinners, there’s plenty of options, there’s no tour game, so they’ll work out the best option to win over there I’m sure.

"It does look like a pretty good squad. If it suits to play the leg-spinner as the second spinner, then good on him."

Australia Test squad for tour of India: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia Tour of India 2023
February 9-13: First Test
February 17-21: Second Test
March 1-5: Third Test
March 9-13: Fourth Test

ICC

 

[wrongun]

Have to disagree. One spinner is not enough. Sure Lyon is really good. But not enough.

The others you have mentioned barely played 10 tests and about 20 wickets between them. Too bad CA has failed to develop spinners to support Lyon.

As far as Smith, Labu and Head go, they will have their hands full with Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep. Should not be burdened with bowling.

Not true. Do you even follow Oz cricket?

Swepson has been developed with selection on A tours, THEN full team tours where he played FC but no tests and THEN has solid results on 2 Asian tours where he played Tests. Thats a textbook development path for a decent spin bowler.

Agar has played a heap of cricket over a decade- just isn't that good a player but given every chance on the same- A tours, test tours etc. If we want a lefty spinner just for Kohli's weakness, he'll play.

Murphy is the hot new thing. More likely just a development tour for him unless he does amazing in tour match.

But ALL those guys have been patiently and sensibly developed through stages and persisted with even through rough matches.

As has Cam Green btw, who if fit will allow us to play 2 spinners if we choose and still have 3 seamers too. Plus part timers like Head, Smith, Labu. It's not a _great_ spin attack and not as strong as India's but we'll rely on our seamers being better to make up some ground + India preparing a raging turner here or there to make Agar or Head look like a worldbeater ala 2004/5.

 

[HARKS]

Not true. Do you even follow Oz cricket?


Swepson has been developed with selection on A tours, THEN full team tours where he played FC but no tests and THEN has solid results on 2 Asian tours where he played Tests. Thats a textbook development path for a decent spin bowler.

Agar has played a heap of cricket over a decade- just isn't that good a player but given every chance on the same- A tours, test tours etc. If we want a lefty spinner just for Kohli's weakness, he'll play.

Murphy is the hot new thing. More likely just a development tour for him unless he does amazing in tour match.

But ALL those guys have been patiently and sensibly developed through stages and persisted with even through rough matches.

As has Cam Green btw, who if fit will allow us to play 2 spinners if we choose and still have 3 seamers too. Plus part timers like Head, Smith, Labu. It's not a _great_ spin attack and not as strong as India's but we'll rely on our seamers being better to make up some ground + India preparing a raging turner here or there to make Agar or Head look like a worldbeater ala 2004/5.

Pl dont forget this is not 2004 indian pacers , indian pace bowlers are actually better than Aus seamers in our conditions plus Ashwin , jadeja and Axar that is relentless pressure will be kept on Aus batters

 

[HARKS]

Not true. Do you even follow Oz cricket?

Swepson has been developed with selection on A tours, THEN full team tours where he played FC but no tests and THEN has solid results on 2 Asian tours where he played Tests. Thats a textbook development path for a decent spin bowler.

Agar has played a heap of cricket over a decade- just isn't that good a player but given every chance on the same- A tours, test tours etc. If we want a lefty spinner just for Kohli's weakness, he'll play.

Murphy is the hot new thing. More likely just a development tour for him unless he does amazing in tour match.

But ALL those guys have been patiently and sensibly developed through stages and persisted with even through rough matches.

As has Cam Green btw, who if fit will allow us to play 2 spinners if we choose and still have 3 seamers too. Plus part timers like Head, Smith, Labu. It's not a _great_ spin attack and not as strong as India's but we'll rely on our seamers being better to make up some ground + India preparing a raging turner here or there to make Agar or Head look like a worldbeater ala 2004/5.

Even without Bumrah, Shami, siraj and umesh are more than capable and also better Reverse swing bowlers

 

[Front Foot Pull]

This will be the toughest BGT for India at home in more than 15 years.

The batting is fragile and the two best players of spin are out with injury.

Shreyas iyer is not ruled out yet. There is still some time. He posted 3 days ago "recovery in process. Will be back in no time" from the gym.

 

[U$ofA]

Not true. Do you even follow Oz cricket?

Swepson has been developed with selection on A tours, THEN full team tours where he played FC but no tests and THEN has solid results on 2 Asian tours where he played Tests. Thats a textbook development path for a decent spin bowler.

Agar has played a heap of cricket over a decade- just isn't that good a player but given every chance on the same- A tours, test tours etc. If we want a lefty spinner just for Kohli's weakness, he'll play.

Murphy is the hot new thing. More likely just a development tour for him unless he does amazing in tour match.

But ALL those guys have been patiently and sensibly developed through stages and persisted with even through rough matches.

As has Cam Green btw, who if fit will allow us to play 2 spinners if we choose and still have 3 seamers too. Plus part timers like Head, Smith, Labu. It's not a _great_ spin attack and not as strong as India's but we'll rely on our seamers being better to make up some ground + India preparing a raging turner here or there to make Agar or Head look like a worldbeater ala 2004/5.

What you have said about the spinners is all on "paper". They have not actually played in India. Which is why I have my doubts on Lyon's supporting cast.

Remember, the greatest of them all, Warne was carted around like a school boy bowling to professionals.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

What you have said about the spinners is all on "paper". They have not actually played in India. Which is why I have my doubts on Lyon's supporting cast.

Remember, the greatest of them all, Warne was carted around like a school boy bowling to professionals.

Maybe you forgot the batsmen warne was bowling to? Almost all of them were good players of spin.

 

[U$ofA]

Maybe you forgot the batsmen warne was bowling to? Almost all of them were good players of spin.

That is true. No one these days have the technique to play spin. In any team.

 

[MenInG]

The Aussies last won a Test match in Indian soil in 2017, with spin having a huge impact on the result as left-arm spinner Stephen O'Keefe was the match-winner for his team with 12 wickets. Australia legend Michael Clarke feels that his side are not well-prepared for the upcoming Tests and should have opted to play a practice match, which would have helped them prepare for the Indian conditions.

"That’s the part I don’t understand", he said.

"The no tour game before the first Test in India. I hope I’m proven wrong but I think that is going to be significant. Batting in those conditions in one-day cricket and T20 cricket is one thing, batting in Indian conditions in Test cricket it is a completely different game.

"You need a completely different plan to what you have playing in Australia, the way you start your innings against spin bowling, the way you play reverse swing, through the Australian summer we didn’t see any reverse swing, the games were over in two, three days.

"So reverse swing is going to play a big part (in India), all these batters that walk out and play bowlers bowling 130-140ks – there’s every chance India is going to play at least two spinners, so it’s a completely different game", he further added.

Clarke feels that the Indian conditions are extremely difficult to bat on. "If you get in you need to go on and make a big score because your first 20 runs in India in second innings, whoa, a ball that you go forward to and block in Australia easily against spin, over there can roll along the ground, can bounce and take your glove. You can go to block it outside off and it bowls you leg stump, natural variation over there is massive", he said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...ision-for-tests-vs-india-101674536937134.html

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Have to disagree. One spinner is not enough. Sure Lyon is really good. But not enough.

The others you have mentioned barely played 10 tests and about 20 wickets between them. Too bad CA has failed to develop spinners to support Lyon.

As far as Smith, Labu and Head go, they will have their hands full with Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep. Should not be burdened with bowling.

Aussies last won a Test match in Indian soil in 2017. O'Keefe was the match-winner for his team with 12 wickets.

Can't underestimate new spinners.

 

[wrongun]

Pl dont forget this is not 2004 indian pacers , indian pace bowlers are actually better than Aus seamers in our conditions plus Ashwin , jadeja and Axar that is relentless pressure will be kept on Aus batters

I agree. I didn't say they WOULD bowl better than India's, but that is what Australia's strategy will rely on. That is their path to win. Our seamers outbowling India's is WAY more likely than our spinners regularly outbowling India's- so it's a logical strategy. If India's seamers also bowl well or Oz can't outmatch them, then we'll lose and well played India.

 

[wrongun]

What you have said about the spinners is all on "paper". They have not actually played in India. Which is why I have my doubts on Lyon's supporting cast.

Remember, the greatest of them all, Warne was carted around like a school boy bowling to professionals.

Let's see what you actually said...

Have to disagree. One spinner is not enough. Sure Lyon is really good. But not enough.

The others you have mentioned barely played 10 tests and about 20 wickets between them. Too bad CA has failed to develop spinners to support Lyon.

As far as Smith, Labu and Head go, they will have their hands full with Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep. Should not be burdened with bowling.

You said CA haven't groomed any spinners behind Lyon. They clearly have.

You said one spinner isn't enough. I agree. I pointed out Agar has been in the system for a while (not a great bowler, but Kohli has a weakness v left arm, so he might play). Swepson has done ok and will likely be a second spinner. He had 3 chances dropped in a couple of different Tests.

There's 3 of Smith, Labu and Head. No worry about any of them being overbowled. Head has been working hard and expects to bowl a bit this tour, it's been planned.

Whether they succeed or not- who knows. I definitely don't think they'll match India's spinners. But as I also said, that's not our path to winning. We'll need to outbowl India's pacers and try to scramble close enough to par from the spinners to be in the game.

As for Warne. He was carted on some tours. Actually doing well on his last tour- 14 wickets in 3 Tests at avg 30 3rpo. That's hardly carted. Especially as we won 2 of those tests and drew the other... sounds like a spinner doing his job in a winning team to me.

He missed out on the dustbowl final match where Clarke took 6 for 9 or something silly. Broke his thumb.

 

[U$ofA]

Let's see what you actually said...



You said CA haven't groomed any spinners behind Lyon. They clearly have.

You said one spinner isn't enough. I agree. I pointed out Agar has been in the system for a while (not a great bowler, but Kohli has a weakness v left arm, so he might play). Swepson has done ok and will likely be a second spinner. He had 3 chances dropped in a couple of different Tests.

There's 3 of Smith, Labu and Head. No worry about any of them being overbowled. Head has been working hard and expects to bowl a bit this tour, it's been planned.

Whether they succeed or not- who knows. I definitely don't think they'll match India's spinners. But as I also said, that's not our path to winning. We'll need to outbowl India's pacers and try to scramble close enough to par from the spinners to be in the game.

As for Warne. He was carted on some tours. Actually doing well on his last tour- 14 wickets in 3 Tests at avg 30 3rpo. That's hardly carted. Especially as we won 2 of those tests and drew the other... sounds like a spinner doing his job in a winning team to me.

He missed out on the dustbowl final match where Clarke took 6 for 9 or something silly. Broke his thumb.

If the spinners perform, more power to them. I think this is the best chance for Aus. to win in Ind. Aus. need a W against Ind. I think they have lost 3 series in a row against them.

 

[daytrader]

Australia trades warm up match to train in Sydney

Head coach Andrew McDonald speaking to media:

"Kieran has done a fantastic job here with the groundstaff to produce exactly what we want, We feel as though out there the surfaces we got are very similar to what we're going to confront in India which is very difficult to replicate, but we feel as though we've got close to that, so the ground staff have done a fantastic job.

"Often [there's] no real connection between that practice game into the first Test match. We feel as though we can control the surfaces here. [We] get a bit more control in Bangalore to replicate what we're going to come up against and then we go into Nagpur fresh and hopefully it pays dividends at the back end.

"There's been assurances given [about pitches in Bengaluru]. We'll get there and most groundstaff around the world are pretty good at allowing us to get what we want. We'll wait and see."

Australia prepared in a similar way before going to Pakistan last year with a camp in Melbourne.

"We went through a lot of those scenarios," McDonald said. "I think the new ball is the one that creates more of that slide and when the batters do get done on the inside…we're preparing for that.

"We'll expect the spinners to bowl early against our opening batters as well with the new ball so all that is taken care of in the training environment. The key to success there is to have a clear method and that will be individually based and depending on the conditions we're confronted with."

On countering Ashwin & Jadeja:

"We've got a similar bowler in Ashton Agar who can help prepare, and also [assistant coach] Dan Vettori, a left-arm thrower," McDonald said. "We'll be trying to make sure the batters are clear on their method. It will be an individual method… they've got a really good blueprint in some of the Test matches against Sri Lanka in Galle."

On training for tests

"Starting to get into that really tactical layer [and] also physical preparation.From the fact they're going to be required to bowl heavy overs and clearly you can't just shift T20 into Test match cricket.

"It's been one of the great challenges. I've heard state coaches talk about it year in year out, switching from BBL back into Shield cricket and how difficult that is. Everyone appreciates how difficult that is and hence why we are here now. There's some talk around we're going to India a bit later… but we're still preparing over here. Still feel like we've got two weeks to prepare for that first Test."

 

[MenInG]

As we inch close to the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is scheduled to start from February 9, shots have already being fired from the touring party. Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy was the latest member to take potshot at India, as he justified Australia's choice of not playing a single tour match in the sub-continent ahead of the blockbuster series.

His comments came after Usman Khawaja's sensational comment, where he claimed that it was pointless to play a warm-up match as the wickets differ completely when the action shifts to the main fixture.

"Have you ever been pre-tour with us (Australia)? They can be spinning wickets when we play but we go to the practice matches and they are green Gabba-like wickets out there (in India), so what's the point," Khawaja had said during a press conference earlier this month.

Healy agreed with Khawaja's statement and during an interaction on SEN Radio, the former wicketkeeper noted: "We've gathered our spinners in Sydney for strategic talks (on replica India surfaces)… we no longer trust that the requested facilities will be provided for a nation."

"We've been part of this shenanigan too by the way… when we're over (in England) we spend our time whinging about weakened County teams that England put up as our opposition before the series."

Commenting further on the subject, Healy said that he is not very fond of two different sets of wickets being prepared for tour and actual matches. "Our focus in cricket has shifted from creating opportunities and experiences for our best up and coming cricketers… now we deny touring teams quality preparation before very highly anticipated series and I don't like it.

"It's disappointing to watch such dismantling of trust between cricket's nations and it needs to stop," added Healy.

Australia have not won a single Test series in India since 2004-05 and will hope for a change in fortune this time around. "Touring teams seem to all struggle these days and here we go again, we're going to India without a whole lot of Indian practice under our belts, let alone England later in the year where we haven't won since 2001,” Healy added.

Healy, however, suggested that a practice match midway during the series is a nice idea to give their seven reserve players some match practice.

"In India they're (Australia) hoping everything will click and the squad freshens up with net practice… our coaching staff are content with this and I'll trust them for now. I would, however, like to see a tour match between the second and third Test in India… I'd love to see a three-day game so that our seven reserves (in the 18-man squad) we've got over there can have a good hit out," Healy added.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...e-border-gavaskar-trophy-101675146884682.html

 

[MenInG]

 

[WengerOut]

Shreyas Iyer is out for first test. Nornally Sarfaraz Khan should have been roped in. Gill v Sky for this role now. Hopefully Gill.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Watch out for a few key Aussie players to magically get injured/drop off (somehow) at the start of the tour...is it just me or this seems to happen every time a top team visits India; wonder what causes these repeat scenarios each time?

It is usually something that weakens the team tremendously and then they proceed to get soundly thrashed. Let's see how my predictions come true this time

Yep, Bumrah, Pant, and Shreyas. The list is long already but not as long as the last time we met Oz.

Oh, you mean Aussie players? My bad, I thought you’re talking about India.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Shreyas Iyer is out for first test. Nornally Sarfaraz Khan should have been roped in. Gill v Sky for this role now. Hopefully Gill.

Gill will open anyways.

 

[BreadPakoda]

The last time he came to India, he tried to cheat the DRS system by getting assistance from the dug out.

 

[WengerOut]

Gill will open anyways.

Could be KL

 

[Cover Drive Six]

The last time he came to India, he tried to cheat the DRS system by getting assistance from the dug out.

Dressing Room Review System.

Kohli hit back strongly at Smith

 

[Ab Fan]

I am planning to catch up the 2nd test in Delhi hopefully live in stadium.

 

[Plumb]

This is going to be an exciting test series.. great to see when both teams are at their peak. Smith would be looking to score big runs, so is Kohli. Mouthwatering contests waiting ahead...

 

[Front Foot Pull]

The Australian way: Skip practice games, use RCB connections to prepare rank turners in outskirts of Bangalore for 4-day camp

Practice games used to be hitherto seen by visiting teams as an ideal preparation to get used to the tough Indian conditions. No longer though. Australia will play the first Test in Nagpur on February 9 without any tour games; instead they will have a four-day preparatory camp at Alur, in the outskirts of Bangalore. Pat Cummins’ Australian team has arrived on Indian shores, hoping to become the first captain since Alastair Cook’s England side in 2012 to win a series here.

Instead of the practice games, Australia will train on customised pitches at Alur. Thanks to head coach Andrew McDonald and spin consultant Daniel Vettori’s association with Royal Challengers Bangalore, it is understood that Australia thought having a preparatory camp for four days would be ideal preparation before they travel to Nagpur.

With R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj waiting, Australia will have customised pitches that will test their batsmen and bowlers at Alur. It is understood that Australia will train on different sorts of scuffed-up pitches — slow turner, rank-turner, one with variable bounce – to get acclimated to the conditions that they are likely to encounter at Nagpur, Delhi and Ahmedabad. With Dharamsala pitch mostly suiting the seamers, it is understood that they have a green pitch also in place.

The reason for the absence of practice games is their past. During their 2013 tour of India, Australia played two practice matches in Chennai and ended-up getting whitewashed 4-0 – their first against India in a three-or more matches. And in those two practice games against Board President XI and India A, they faced Parvez Rasool, Sarabjit Ladda and Rakesh Dhruv. In 2017, in the lone practice match they played against India A, they got to face Shahbaz Nadeem in both the innings. And despite having K Gowtham, India A used him only in the second innings.

This is why, as Steve Smith said before arrival in India, they have found these practice matches to be irrelevant. “The last time we went I’m pretty sure we got served up a green-top (to practice on) and it was sort of irrelevant. We’re better off having our own nets and getting spinners in and bowling as much as they can. We’ll wait and see when we hit the ground. I think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match,” Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald.

There is also another reason why they have chosen to train at Alur rather than picking any other venue. With a high-intense four weeks of cricket ahead of them, they believe a bit of privacy would do them a world of good, especially away from all the media glare and attention. During the 2017 tour, Australia caught India by surprise, especially in the manner in which they not only handled the spinners, but how their own tweakers operated in these conditions with Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon having a productive series.

They went on to stun India on a rank turner in Pune and the hosts were stretched to the limits. Much of it was possible thanks to the preparation they had in Dubai, where head coach Darren Lehmann and spin consultant Sridharan Sriram came up with unique training methods to prepare them for the conditions.

This time both aren’t there and in place of Sriram, they have Vettori, who is not alien to these conditions. Australia have also called up a few local net bowlers including Jammu & Kashmir’s Abid Mushtaq, who took 32 wickets in the Ranji Trophy this season.

Although Australia have previous experience of facing Ashwin and Jadeja, it is understood that they are studying the footage of Axar a lot as his release points and the turn and bounce he gets off the pitch being seen as a huge threat.

Beginning Thursday, Australia will try everything they can to be prepared.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/the-australian-way-skip-practice-games-use-rcb-connections-for-4-day-camp-8418580/

 

[MenInG]

Hosts India will have the upper hand if the tracks are rank turners in the upcoming Test series but Australia will win on "fair" pitches, feels former wicketkeeper Ian Healy. The two sides will square off for the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Nagpur on February 9. "I think if they produce fair Indian wickets, that are good batting wickets, to start with, (that) probably spin and spin pretty consistently but spin a long way, late in the match … we (Australia) win," Healy said on 'SENQ Breakfast'.

"I'm worried about (Mitchell) Starc and (Nathan) Lyon in the first Test … if they're unfair wickets which I've seen in the last series, where balls were jumping ridiculously and sliding down low from day one, I think India play those conditions better than us," he added.

Australia have decided not to play a single tour game in India during the month-long Test series, primarily due to the hosts serving up green tops for practice matches and spinning tracks for the actual games.

Healy advised the less-experienced Australian players to soak in the pressure and not commit any fielding lapses.

"I want the players to be very aware if they are escaping that pressure (from the locals) if you're escaping that pressure and hiding in your room using the golf simulator… I think you've got to do something else," he said.

"That's an escape, you shouldn't be doing it, you're dodging, just be very aware of what you are feeling at any given time. Immerse yourself before you really get to deploy your technique… don't drop catches, fielding can be difficult over there.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

"What happens in India, to get ten wickets, you'll only get ten chances, whereas in Australia with bounce, carry and speed you can create 13 chances and you can waste a couple… but they don't come along as easy in India.

"I just think they have to live and breathe that pressure and have a philosophy over there." Australia, who haven't won a Test series in India since 2004, will also play in New Delhi (February 17-21), Dharamsala (March 1-5) and Ahmedabad (March 9-13).

NDTV

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Aussies back to their usual tactics of blabbering a lot before a tour and there media just writing foolish articles on fair pitches.
It’s India, a spinning and turning pitch is fair one just like a green one In England, and a bouncy one in Australia and a flat road in Pakistan. The beauty of cricket is like life, there are variety of conditions and challenges to counter.
Healy and smith talk about being fair… lol.

 

[Devadwal]

Gill will play at 5 if Iyer is not fit

Rahul
Hitman
Puji
King
Gill
Sir jadeja
Bharat(wk)
Ash
Axar/ kuldeep
Siraj
Shami/ Umesh