Australia tour of India (2023)

[shamaan]

I think it will be a good Test series Khawaja will be key for Australia.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rank turns will bite India back as the current old batsmen have lost their prowess against spin. They are not the same anymore. It is a retirement house. Kohlil, Rohit, Ashwin, Pujara. Rahul is also 30 plus. Jaddu 30 plus.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

Rank turns will bite India back as the current old batsmen have lost their prowess against spin. They are not the same anymore. It is a retirement house. Kohlil, Rohit, Ashwin, Pujara. Rahul is also 30 plus. Jaddu 30 plus.

if you've only said some of them have regressed against spin it may have been ok but what has age got to do with their prowess against spin?

 

[jnaveen1980]

if you've only said some of them have regressed against spin it may have been ok but what has age got to do with their prowess against spin?

Some lose reflex, you don't pick the length very well like you used to. Kohli has been repeatedly getting out to spinners because of that. Think about Dhoni, Sachin. Towards the end of their career they had struggle picking the spinners.

 

[WengerOut]

Some lose reflex, you don't pick the length very well like you used to. Kohli has been repeatedly getting out to spinners because of that. Think about Dhoni, Sachin. Towards the end of their career they had struggle picking the spinners.

Kohli has always been mediocre against spin, even at his peak. SA 2015, Aus 2017 are some of the high profile failures in tests.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What is unfair pitches? Healy trying the old mental game.

 

[MenInG]

There was a worrying sense of deja vu when Australia’s Test squad arrived at KSCA Ground in Alur on Thursday morning.

The three practice wickets they were presented with looked more akin to the Gabba than the spinning decks of Nagpur and Ahmedabad, with a healthy layer of grass at each end.

Australia had been sabotaged in Sri Lanka last year, served up seaming practice wickets ahead of a series played entirely on spinning decks, but the BCCI had assured Cricket Australia it wouldn’t be the same story in Bengaluru this week.

For a moment, the Aussies would have wondered whether they had been duped yet again, but any lingering fears were allayed once the training session got underway and the SG balls started turning.

“The facilities were fantastic,” Australian Test captain Pat Cummins told foxsports.com.au.

“They were really good wickets … it’s given us a good chance to have some really good prep.”

Australia has no warm-up matches scheduled ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, instead undergoing a specialised four-day training camp in Bengaluru where they can concentrate on individual skills and prepare for India’s spinning minefields in a controlled environment.

In preparation for facing Indian tweakers Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, Australia’s batters have relied on Ashton Agar and spin coach Daniel Vettori, both accomplished left-arm orthodox bowlers, to replicate their bowling action.

But to acquaint themselves with the right-arm off-spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, the Aussies needed to call in reinforcements.

As reported by cricket.com.au, 21-year-old spinner Mahesh Pithiya was flown to Bangalore to serve as one of Australia’s net bowlers this week, troubling the likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head on Thursday.

Pithiya, who made his first-class debut for Baroda in December, is renowned for having an uncannily similar bowling action to Ashwin. According to Cricbuzz, Australia’s coaching staff requested Pithiya’s services after watching clips of his bowling action on Instagram.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/b66ed163b4dfbcc9f3c47de72a5a3243

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[MenInG]

Alex Carey has a sore glute muscle from the amount of sweeping he has been doing to spin, but Australia's batting group have not forgotten the threat posed by fast bowlers.

Spin is a major focus for Australia on their training camp in Alur, where Australia are training this week before they move to Nagpur for the first of their four Tests against India, whose slow bowlers are among the most potent in the world on their home pitches.

Local spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja have proved the most effective bowlers in recent Tests in India.

But pacemen like Jasprit Bumrah (bowling average of 15.64 in four home Tests since the start of 2020), Mohammad Siraj (16.66 over that same period and even James Anderson (15.87 on England’s 2021 tour of India) have all posed significant threats.

Having averaged more than 50 with the bat in Australia's five Tests in Asia last year - against Pakistan and Sri Lanka - Carey has a solid base of subcontinental batting knowledge to draw on for his first Test series in India.

Late reverse swing was more of a threat than sharp turn on batter-friendly surfaces in Pakistan and could be again if flatter wickets, as opposed to rank turners, are produced over the upcoming campaign.

Australia's fast bowlers have also been practicing with reverse-swinging balls, with Lance Morris, Scott Boland and Pat Cummins all having solid workouts on Friday at the KSCA ground the Australians are training at until Sunday.

"Going to Pakistan there was a lot of spin talk and I found the reverse-swinging ball really difficult," Carey told reporters on Friday.

"I played a four-day game (for Australia A against India A) in 2018 and a lot of the talk was about spin and you forget a little bit about how damaging how both teams' fast bowlers are with a reverse swinging ball, with a wicket that might be a little bit up and down.

"Having the preparation and the game to ebb and flow between fast bowling and spin, and (during) dry periods where you won't score, (is important)."

A major feature of Carey's success in Asia last year was his liberal employment of the sweep shots.

On a big-turning track in Galle for the first Test against Sri Lanka, the left-hander swept or reverse-swept his first 13 deliveries on the way to a crucial knock in a low-scoring match.

It was an extreme strategy devised for extreme pitch conditions, and he says he won't hesitate to go to it again if conditions dictate.

"I've got a sore glute today, I played a few yesterday," Carey said of the sweep.

"I bat seven so I get to have a bit of a look at what the conditions are doing. You go out there with a bit a plan to hopefully succeed, it doesn't always happen but if you can put it in your favour a little, that's helpful.

"I don't see it being any different over here in India. If the wicket's flatter than what we think then the game might change a little bit, if it's tough conditions then try to stick to a plan and be ok with what happens.

"… I like to sweep in most circumstances, in most formats. I guess then playing the conditions as well – we went to Galle for two Test matches and they were two different wickets.

"I think the open-mindedness of what we're going to come up against, what team they're going to put on the park and what scenario I'm going to come in at.

"Try to plan and prepare the best we can and then once we're in the middle it's enjoy the contest, be patient with all the things that come into your head, and then hope for the best."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ale...-series-nagpur-fast-bowlers-threat/2023-02-03

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

My XI for 1st test,
Hitman,

Gill/ KL
Che Pu
VK
KL/Vihari (heard he is injured)/ Sarfraz khan -(deserves to be in XI)
the keeper - Bharat / KL/ Ishan (i would go with Ishan, he has potential to do a rishabh...ie -keep neatly, blow the bowlers with a quick innings, he could be the matchwinner)
Ash
jads/Akshar - i'd go with Akshar on the premise that i feel Jads might be a bit match rusty coming back from injury
Kulli
Siraj
Shami
What say...

 

[jnaveen1980]

Kohli has always been mediocre against spin, even at his peak. SA 2015, Aus 2017 are some of the high profile failures in tests.

It got much worse now. He did play sweep in Australia when he was in prime. He was connecting them well as well. Nowadays he is just groping at the ball.

 

[Local.Dada]

Finally top class competitive cricket is back

Looking forward to it. Will be a great contest and dress rehearsal for wtc.

 

[Local.Dada]

It got much worse now. He did play sweep in Australia when he was in prime. He was connecting them well as well. Nowadays he is just groping at the ball.

Indians except SKY are more paddle sweepers. They don’t play slog sweep vs spin.

Even Sachin,Rohit, Kohli etc used prefer the paddle over the slog sweep.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Indians except SKY are more paddle sweepers. They don’t play slog sweep vs spin.

Even Sachin,Rohit, Kohli etc used prefer the paddle over the slog sweep.

Check his highlights in Australia. He plays proper sweep shots. Sure Moeen Ali had wood over him occasionally. Nowadays it has become alarmingly worse. Sannter, Shakib, Taijul, Mehidy, domestic Indian spinners. Especially on surfaces where there is a bit of turn. On the same surface even guys like Ashwin plays better.

 

[Local.Dada]

Check his highlights in Australia. He plays proper sweep shots. Sure Moeen Ali had wood over him occasionally. Nowadays it has become alarmingly worse. Sannter, Shakib, Taijul, Mehidy, domestic Indian spinners. Especially on surfaces where there is a bit of turn. On the same surface even guys like Ashwin plays better.

Maybe in 2014 where the pitches were really flat and batting friendly. It’s not that easy to sweep Lyon especially with the length he bowls on those pitches. However you are right, the contest is not than one sided anymore on spin pitches for Indian batsmen. As you said if Bangla spinners can cause problem than Lyon, Agar with full plan and preparation will not be easy. We suck against spin. Only Pant treated them the way they should be and maybe Iyer is reliable. Rest including Rohit and Kohli suck against spin now. Maybe their hand eye has gone down with age. You need that to read the loop and revs of the ball and play it off the pitch.

 

[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

Speaking on Healy's comment and those made by Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja as well, Ashwin felt that the statement “has set a spark”, a much-needed one before the start of the Border-Gavaskar series.

"Anyway, an Australian broadcaster and former player Ian Healy has given a few gems before the BGT. He has given a few statements that say Indians will make sure Australian feel uncomfortable in India - "I don't believe they will give us wickets that will look even slightly closer to what we will actually get during a game." So he has said that Australia's approach is only correct. The support staffs might have given their opinion, but Ian Healy's quote has set a spark with this take. It's Border-Gavaskar Trophy guys. So we need this spark, right? Besides, banters will keep coming from the Australian camp for sure. We saw what Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja had to say. Eben Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw have said some controversial things. Renshaw said that you need to analyse a few things in India like who is taking the new ball and stuff," he said.

HindustanTimes

 

[Front Foot Pull]

Some lose reflex, you don't pick the length very well like you used to. Kohli has been repeatedly getting out to spinners because of that. Think about Dhoni, Sachin. Towards the end of their career they had struggle picking the spinners.

expected answer, losing reflexes. but we aren't talking about facing 145kph. this is spin, reading the spin from the hand, picking length and then deciding to come forward or go back are key. i know picking length is part of reflex but he is fine picking high pace seamers too. his reflexes are fine, may not be as good as young but still fine. his indecision to go press forward or go back for a balls landing in particular areas seem to be the problem.

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

We have next to no LH Top order batsmen now that Rishabh is not available.
I'd take a punt and put Washi Sundar in opening with Rohit. Dude has the defense technique, has the shot making ability, is a fab fielder and can give you 10-15 solid overs. After alll, once hitman calls it a day, Washi Sundar and Gill would make a good opening combo - u never know till you try.
I'd also go as far as selecting Ishan to keep wkts, maybe he could morph in to a rishabh of the test match kind.
Else its only Sir Jads as the LH batsman...can't consider Kulli yadav in this category.

 

[MenInG]

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has shown progress in his recovery from a finger injury and could be in contention to play the first Test against India, as confirmed by head coach Andrew McDonald.

Cameron Green, the Australia fast-bowling all-rounder, has an 'outside chance' to feature in the first of four Tests against India beginning next week, after having shown progress in his recovery from a finger injury recently.

Green had sustained the injury after he was hit by speedster Anrich Nortje during the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne in December. He battled through the pain to score a fighting 51*, backing up a first-innings five-for but was sidelined for the following Test in Sydney.

Ahead of the first Test against India in Nagpur, beginning 9 February, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Green could feature in the starting XI, though there is no clarity if he would be able to bowl.

"He's made some significant steps forward in the last couple of days, probably to my surprise, so there's still an outside chance that everything going well he might be on the team sheet," McDonald told reporters in Alur, where the visitors are currently training in a four-day camp, on Saturday.

"I wouldn't say he was in discomfort with his bowling, one of the deliveries jarred the bottom of the bat and that can create discomfort for anyone but there's a little bit of awareness around that finger."

Cameron Green had sustained a finger injury during the second Test at home against South AfricaCameron Green had sustained a finger injury during the second Test at home against South Africa

Meanwhile, Australia are also weighing their options in terms of striking the right balance in the spin-friendly conditions, with Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and uncapped Todd Murphy in line to partner frontline spinner Nathan Lyon. Skipper Pat Cummins however, maintained that playing two spinners isn’t certain yet and that the visitors would only take a final call after assessing the playing conditions.

"I wouldn't say it [two spinners] is a given, it's very conditions dependent so particularly this first Test, once we get to Nagpur we'll see," Cummins said. "I think sometimes talking about a couple of spinners you forget how good a lot of our fast bowlers have been in all conditions. Even some of the SCG wickets, there hasn't been a lot in them for quick bowlers but the quick bowlers have found a way.

"We've got plenty of bowling options here - finger-spin, wrist-spin, left-arm, Starcy when he comes back - so we'll obviously pick the bowlers we think can take 20 wickets, how we are going to split that up we aren't 100% sure yet.

"It's a chance. That's something we'll have to balance up if we want to go with two spinners. Do we want variation, or just two offspinners? So there's no reason why we can't go that way. Travis Head is in the side as well and bowls really good off-spin. We've got plenty of variety to choose from."

As for the batting, McDonald expressed confidence in the experienced David Warner, who hasn't had much success in India in the past. Warner has aggregated 388 runs at 24.25, with three fifties from eight Tests in India to date.

"He's really looking forward to the challenge of India and it's been well documented that he hasn't had the series that he would've liked here, and it's always challenging," McDonald said.

"But the way that he's applying himself in his downtime to really landing on a method to take on the Indian spinners, also the quicks, and to have a successful tour...I think you'll see him fully invigorated, fully invested and fully recharged for the challenge ahead."

ICC

 

[Ab Fan]

We have next to no LH Top order batsmen now that Rishabh is not available.
I'd take a punt and put Washi Sundar in opening with Rohit. Dude has the defense technique, has the shot making ability, is a fab fielder and can give you 10-15 solid overs. After alll, once hitman calls it a day, Washi Sundar and Gill would make a good opening combo - u never know till you try.
I'd also go as far as selecting Ishan to keep wkts, maybe he could morph in to a rishabh of the test match kind.
Else its only Sir Jads as the LH batsman...can't consider Kulli yadav in this category.

Washington Sundar is selected as net bowler for the tesr series vs Australia.

 

[JattMaula]

11 for Nagpur

Rohit
Gill
Pujara
Former Kaptaan
KL Rahul (Iyer injured)
Jadeja
Bharat
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Shami
Siraj

Iyer should have played but for injury. Aussie have plenty of lefties do Kuldeep ahead of third pacer or Axar. Writing down KL name in that eleven has saddened me beyond belief. I would not let him near ground if possible.

 

[JattMaula]

I would honestly pick Washy at 5 over KL. It may even allow for third pacer if conditions dictate it.

 

[WengerOut]

I would honestly pick Washy at 5 over KL. It may even allow for third pacer if conditions dictate it.

Washy is a bizzare case for me. When no expectation from him as a batsman, he plays some fantastic innings. And just when you think he is ready to play as a batsman, he plays like a tailender. In short, not reliable.

 

[Saurav]

Washy is a bizzare case for me. When no expectation from him as a batsman, he plays some fantastic innings. And just when you think he is ready to play as a batsman, he plays like a tailender. In short, not reliable.

When has he played like tailender in Tests.

He's more reliable than KL because he's mentally strong.

However geniuses haven't even picked him in squad

 

[Ab Fan]

Nagpur is generally very dry pitch..Won't be surprised if a rank turner is given..

 

[MenInG]

Australia's injury concerns continue to mount ahead of the first Test against India with key pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the opening match in Nagpur.

Hazelwood has been battling an Achilles problem he picked up during Australia's home Test against South Africa last month and has failed to bowl during training in Alur over the last few days.

The absence of Hazlewood robs Australia of another key member of their potent bowling attack for the crucial ICC World Test Championship clash, with veteran left-armer Mitchell Starc already ruled out of the series opener through injury.

Star all-rounder Cameron Green won’t be able to bowl during the Test due to his own injury, meaning seamers Scott Boland and uncapped quick Lance Morris are the only remaining quicks in the squad that are available to partner skipper Pat Cummins for the first Test.

Just whether Hazlewood regains full fitness in time for the second Test in Delhi from February 17 remains to be seen, with the experienced right-armer admitting he is still battling the injury he picked up against South Africa.

"It's still lingering from the (Sydney) Test match," Hazlewood said on Sunday.

"We obviously bowled after a lot of rain and the jump-offs were quite soft where we were taking off from, and they ended up replacing them as well.

"It sort of worked to a degree, but just that extra load jumping off a soft ground to bowl and again first Test match (back from injury) your body is not used to that sort of workload as well."

Hazlewood is hoping to have a bowl at training on Tuesday and believes how he recovers from that hitout will be pivotal in determining his fitness going forward.

"I was bowling a fair bit leading into the (India) tour at home and sort of just pushing up against it. It probably wasn’t recovering as well as I would have liked between each session," Hazlewood noted.

"So thought we’d give it a few days here straight of the bat and try and get over the hump and have a bowl from Tuesday and hope it goes well."

Boland partnered skipper Pat Cummins at Australia training on Sunday and Hazlewood thinks the right-armer is more than capable of filling the void.

"Scotty has bowled plenty at the MCG when it was a flat wicket, it probably wasn't swinging or reverse swinging so he knows how to work hard for a long period of time," Hazlewood said.

"You've got Lance Morris who has worked hard on reverse swing for the last month and then a nice lead in here with a few sessions.

"The guys are excited first of all to play in the sub-continent, they both haven’t yet, but they're very well qualified to do so."

Australia is currently in the box seat to qualify for June's World Test Championship final, with Cummins' side leading the standings and needing just one positive result in India to ensure they book their place.

ICC

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Washy is a bizzare case for me. When no expectation from him as a batsman, he plays some fantastic innings. And just when you think he is ready to play as a batsman, he plays like a tailender. In short, not reliable.

I frankly cant recall when he played like a tailender, can you give instances? I think every time he got a gig, he shone -eg- the Gabba test, the ahmd test against eng 2021. Still feel he has potential to open for us, gives the LH option , a fab fielder and can bowl as well

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Any one can update whats the deal with Wriddhi Saha? or has he retired?

 

[WengerOut]

I frankly cant recall when he played like a tailender, can you give instances? I think every time he got a gig, he shone -eg- the Gabba test, the ahmd test against eng 2021. Still feel he has potential to open for us, gives the LH option , a fab fielder and can bowl as well

All internationals included. Not specifically in tests.

 

[JattMaula]

All internationals included. Not specifically in tests.

Can't compare LO's with tests. Different skills.

 

[JattMaula]

Any one can update whats the deal with Wriddhi Saha? or has he retired?

Nah. Not retired just tired. He is no longer with bangal. And India is planning for future.

Still good keeper but can't keep picking a 39 YO as a second choice.

 

[docteurmanish]

11 for Nagpur

Rohit
Gill
Pujara
Former Kaptaan
KL Rahul (Iyer injured)
Jadeja
Bharat
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Shami
Siraj

Iyer should have played but for injury. Aussie have plenty of lefties do Kuldeep ahead of third pacer or Axar. Writing down KL name in that eleven has saddened me beyond belief. I would not let him near ground if possible.

Axar comes in ahead of jadeja . Axar bowling form is tremendous .
Kuldeep vs jadeja is tossup . They will take jadeja the batsman over kuldeep the bowler . Jadeja bowling is bonus

Last 5 years , jadeja along with pant is most consistent indian batsman .

 

[JattMaula]

Axar comes in ahead of jadeja . Axar bowling form is tremendous .
Kuldeep vs jadeja is tossup . They will take jadeja the batsman over kuldeep the bowler . Jadeja bowling is bonus

Last 5 years , jadeja along with pant is most consistent indian batsman .

Axar and Jadeja bring almost same thing to table bowling wise. If Aussies had majority right handers I would have played them both.

 

[Devadwal]

Australian players on playing Test series in India:

Smith - winning in India is bigger than the Ashes.

Cummins - it's like winning an away Ashes, career defining moment.

Warner - beating India is the toughest challenge.

Starc - winning in India is out of reach for many.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Border Gavaskar Trophy History

Series: 15
India: 9
Australia: 5
Drawn: 1 (2003/04 in Australia)

Away wins:
India: 2
Australia: 1

Home wins:
India: 7
Australia: 4

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Most runs in Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Active players):

Cheteshwar Pujara - 1893 runs
Steve Smith - 1742 runs
Virat Kohli - 1682 runs
David Warner - 1148 runs

 

[RexRex]

Border Gavaskar Trophy History

Series: 15
India: 9
Australia: 5
Drawn: 1 (2003/04 in Australia)

Away wins:
India: 2
Australia: 1

Home wins:
India: 7
Australia: 4

Amazing. Surely the greatest cricket rivalry of all time after Ashes?

 

[Msd_7]

Amazing. Surely the greatest cricket rivalry of all time after Ashes?

since that 2001 famous Kolkata test

 

[Ab Fan]

Border Gavaskar Trophy leading run scorer Indian batters :-

Tendulkar 3262 AVG 56
Laxman 2434 AVG 49
Dravid 2143 AVG 39
Pujara 1893 AVG 54
Sehwag 1738 AVG 41
Kohli 1682 AVG 48

 

[MenInG]

Ravichandran Ashwin's form will decide the fate of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, feels former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who wouldn't want the team's premier spinner to "over-plan" against Australia in the upcoming four-match Test series. Shastri, under whose tutelage India won back-to-back Test series in Australia, also has no hesitation in naming Kuldeep Yadav as his choice as the third spinner while keeping Suryakumar Yadav as a potent middle-order game-changer.

"Ashwin, you don't want him to over-plan. He is good enough to stick to his plans as he is real crucial player here. His form might decide the series. Ashwin comes as a package, he will get you important runs as well," Shastri said, while answering a query from PTI during an interaction organised by Star Sports, the official broadcasters of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

"If Ashwin is on fire, that might decide the outcome of the series. He is world class in most conditions but in Indian conditions, he is lethal. If the ball starts spinning and there is enough bite off the surface, he will trouble most batters.

"So, you don't want Ashwin to over-think and try too many things. Just keep it there and let the pitch do the rest because as it is, it does enough in India," Shastri, one of the shrewdest brains in Indian cricket, said.

To another query as the third spinner, Shastri replied: "As far as third spinner is concerned, I would like to see Kuldeep play straightaway. Jadeja and Axar are pretty similar bowlers. Kuldeep is different. If you lose the toss on Day 1, you need someone who will give it a rip.

"If anyone spins it one Day 1, it will be Kuldeep. If the track doesn't have too much on offer, then Kuldeep can come into play." He also gave another important reason to include Kuldeep in the playing XI.

"As the game progresses with the fast bowlers the Australians have, the rough created on both sides of the track will come into play. So wrist spinners can get the ball to turn back in and out both ways." Shastri is unapologetic when asked about the kind of track he would want.

"I want the ball to turn from Day 1. Lose the toss, so be it. Something there on offer from Day 1, playing at home, cash in on it."

NDTV

 

[MenInG]

As India hosts Australia in an anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia vice-captain Steve Smith felt all-rounder Cameron Green is unlikely to play in the opening Test since he has not faced fast bowling in the nets. The first Test between India and Australia will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur from Thursday. Green had sustained the injury after he was hit by speedster Anrich Nortje during the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne in December. He battled through the pain to score a fighting 51*, backing up a first-innings five-for but was sidelined for the following Test in Sydney.

Green did not bat during Australia's first practice session at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

Ahead of the first Test against India, Australia vice-captain said that the team will have to wait for the decision on Green's inclusion in the playing XI, though it's unlikely that he will be able to play.

"I don't think he is [going to play]. I don't think he's even faced fast bowlers yet. So I dare say he won't be playing but who knows. I'm not entirely sure. We'll wait and see," Steve Smith said in a pre-match conference in Nagpur

"But it's unlikely, I think," he added.

This means Australia will select a specialist batter at No. 6 and only four bowlers for the first Test.

With the surface looking extremely dry two days before the start of the Test, Australia appears set to play two spinners and two quicks.

"It's pretty dry. Particularly one end that I think will take a bit of spin, particularly the left-arm spinner spinning it back into our left-handers. There's a section there that's quite dry. Other than that, I can't really get a good gauge on it," Smith said.

"I don't think there will be a heap of bounce in the wicket. I think for the seamers it will be quite skiddy and maybe a bit of up-and-down movement as the game goes on. The cracks felt quite loose. We'll wait and see when we get out there," he added.

Scott Boland is a foregone conclusion to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood. Lance Morris is the only other quick available, but he only bowled some centre-wicket in Nagpur with Green.

However, the absence of Green, who bowled in the middle of the VCA Ground on Tuesday as part of his recovery from finger surgery, would make it difficult to follow suit.

"Possibly," Smith said of the prospect of partnering Nathan Lyon with two of Agar, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson. "If Greeny was fit, it would be definitely more of an option.

"Without him I'm not entirely sure. We've got a strategy meeting this arvo where we'll talk about what we think. Ultimately it's down to the selectors to pick the team they think is best for the surface," said the Australia vice-captain.

Australia squad: 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 and David Warner.

India squad: (for the first two Tests) Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat and Suryakumar Yadav.

NDTV

 

[U$ofA]

I think Aus have their best chance of winning a series in Ind. India's batting is weak.

Having said that, Ashwin/Jadeja/Yadav will be a deadly trio. With Patel also available.

Warner, Khawaja, Head, Carey are going to have a very tough time against Ashwin. His seems love bowling to left handers. Not sure how much Labuschagne has played in India, I am assuming none to very little. Which puts him in the unproven category. That just leaves Smith, who will succeed. Others will have to do their best to at least support him.

I think Ind have a slight upper hand. Should be a good series.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Aus have their best chance of winning a series in Ind. India's batting is weak.

Having said that, Ashwin/Jadeja/Yadav will be a deadly trio. With Patel also available.

Warner, Khawaja, Head, Carey are going to have a very tough time against Ashwin. His seems love bowling to left handers. Not sure how much Labuschagne has played in India, I am assuming none to very little. Which puts him in the unproven category. That just leaves Smith, who will succeed. Others will have to do their best to at least support him.

I think Ind have a slight upper hand. Should be a good series.

Yeah. I also think that Aussies can draw the series or even win it. They have a very good chance this time.

India have declined while Aussies are at their peak.

 

[shamaan]

I think khawaja will have a very good series.

 

[SamNJ]

Border Gavaskar Trophy leading run scorer Indian batters :-

Tendulkar 3262 AVG 56
Laxman 2434 AVG 49
Dravid 2143 AVG 39
Pujara 1893 AVG 54
Sehwag 1738 AVG 41
Kohli 1682 AVG 48

Great stats for Sachin. Considering he played mostly against the Aussies which was the greatest team ever in the history of game. Truly GOAT batsman.

 

[Hitman]

Border Gavaskar Trophy leading run scorer Indian batters :-

Tendulkar 3262 AVG 56
Laxman 2434 AVG 49
Dravid 2143 AVG 39
Pujara 1893 AVG 54
Sehwag 1738 AVG 41
Kohli 1682 AVG 48

Awesome VVS, considering he mostly batted at #6.

 

[Ab Fan]

Great stats for Sachin. Considering he played mostly against the Aussies which was the greatest team ever in the history of game. Truly GOAT batsman.

Yes..he was standout player in many series for India when opponents were Australia.

1991/92 away
1997/98 home
1999/00 away
2007/08 away
2010/11 home

That's 5 series. Apart from that, 2001 home and 2003/04 away were Laxman-Dravid series.

 

[WengerOut]

Yes..he was standout player in many series for India when opponents were Australia.

1991/92 away
1997/98 home
1999/00 away
2007/08 away
2010/11 home

That's 5 series. Apart from that, 2001 home and 2003/04 away were Laxman-Dravid series.

In 2001, he scored a century in the decider, underrated innings. In 03/04, scored a double in the decider as well.

 

[SamNJ]

https://mobile.twitter.com/beastieboy07/status/1622931080637734912

What is going on here.
Selective watering of pitch to make it a rank turner for Australian lefties.

 

[MP2011]

.

 

[Ab Fan]

Awesome VVS, considering he mostly batted at #6.

VVS was always brilliant vs Australia home or away except the last series.

2001 and 2003/04( Adelaide, Sydney both) were his most dominant performances. Apart from that, Perth 2007 and Mohali 2010 are memorable clutch performances from him.

 

[Ab Fan]

In 2001, he scored a century in the decider, underrated innings. In 03/04, scored a double in the decider as well.

Quality knock that in Chennai but for that series on whole, can't take away any bit of credit from Laxman. He was simply sensational.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

IND needs 3-1 or better to directly secure WTC finals berth without reliance on other teams.
IND needs 2-0 or better to secure No.1 rank in ICC test rankings.

 

[MenInG]

Australia’s hopes of success in India could be dealt another blow in the coming days, with the venue expected to offer the most assistance to the fast bowlers in danger of losing its Test due to fog.

With the snow-capped Himalayas in the background, Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is among the most picturesque Test venues in the world – but winters in the city are not conducive to preparing a cricket ground.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will decide in the coming days, possibly as early as Sunday, whether to move the third Test, scheduled from March 1-5, from Dharamsala after experts inspect the venue’s playing surface over the weekend.

There are concerns with several bald patches in the sand-based outfield, relaid after the venue’s last international in February last year to lay out a new drainage system, the cricinfo website has reported.

A source with knowledge of the matter has said there has been insufficient sunlight to grow grass in the foggy conditions.

It would be another setback to Australia’s faltering campaign if the Test was moved, as not only is Dharamsala likely to offer most value to the quicks, as it did in the 2017 series, there is a strong possibility the new venue would be spin-friendly. Pune, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Rajkot are in contention to stage the game.

Australia memorably won the first Test of the 2017 series in Pune when Steve O’Keefe collected career-best match figures of 12-70 but have not played a Test in the other three cities.

The magnitude of the challenge facing Pat Cummins’ men was made clear on Thursday when Australia were dismissed for a paltry 177. In reply, India amassed 400, suggesting the VCA Stadium pitch is not as treacherous for batting as first thought.

The weather in Dharamsala, at an altitude of 1457 metres in northwestern India, can get very cold in winter, with temperatures regularly falling into single digits at night. For example, the forecast for Sunday is for a high of nine degrees after a low of two.

The cold weather makes it more difficult for curators to produce the dry spin-friendly pitches which generations of Australia’s batters have struggled to handle.

Australia lost the deciding Test in Dharamsala in 2017 and though spin again played a big part in their demise, it was the pace of Umesh Yadav which changed the momentum of the game in the second innings.

The venue has not hosted a first-class game since early 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...-in-a-blow-for-australia-20230211-p5cjrh.html

 

[MenInG]

Mitchell Starc appears the most likely of Australia's missing trio from the first Test to return in Delhi, but captain Pat Cummins insists wholesale changes are not required after their trouncing in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series opener.

Allrounder Cameron Green is still a "wait and see" while Josh Hazlewood appears certain to miss again as the Aussies consider how to reconfigure their side for a match they must win if they hope to clinch a series in India for the first time in almost two decades.

But Cummins insisted not "much is going to change the next couple of games", suggesting the visitors will keep faith with their misfiring top-order.

Starc, whose recovery from a serious finger injury has progressed well, will link up with the squad in the Indian capital and could give the visitors' attack some added penetration after it relied heavily on debutant Todd Murphy to make regular breakthroughs in Nagpur.

An added bonus of the left-armer being back would be the footmarks he can create for Australia's two off-spinners, Nathan Lyon and Murphy, who now look set to be given the chance to develop their partnership further in this series.

But it would be a tough call to recall Starc at Scott Boland's expense after the Victorian performed his holding role with aplomb during India's batting innings, sending down his first 11 overs for only 10 runs.

Like Starc, Green could also solve multiple problems; firstly, as a first-choice middle-order batter to replace either Peter Handscomb or Matthew Renshaw (who were respectively playing their first and second Tests back after long absences), and secondly as a fifth bowling option to lighten the load on the front-liners.

The 23-year-old could also allow Australia to recall Ashton Agar if curators prepare a raging turner.

Both Green and Hazlewood had long bowls on Saturday morning on a centre wicket at the VCA Stadium a few hours before Australia's batting implosion, while the former has also shown encouraging signs with the bat in the nets.

But Cummins said it was too early to declare the allrounder ready.

"Starcy lands today or tomorrow into Delhi," Australia’s skipper told reporters after the innings-and-132-run loss.

"I think Joshy might not be quite ready for Delhi. He's getting up and running now, he's pretty close, but I don't think he'll be quite ready for Delhi.

"Greeny's a bit of a wait and see. Still hoping (he could return), he's had a couple of good hits out here. He's bowling's pretty good, the next couple of days we'll assess it."

While conceding their first-innings score of 177 had been well short of expectations, Cummins insisted they would stick fat with their batting approach.

Openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner failed to pass 10 in both innings, while Renshaw had a rough match with scores of 0 and 6 after he and Handscomb were preferred over Travis Head to bat in the middle order.

The world's two top-ranked Test batters, Marnus Labuschagne (49 and 17) and Steve Smith (37 and 25no), made promising starts in each innings but will rue their inability to push on in the first dig.

Alex Carey (36 and 10) was out reverse-sweeping in both innings but was praised by Cummins for taking the Indian spinners on.

A major area for improvement will be their tail-end batting after none of their specialist bowlers managed a score in the double digits. That was in sharp contrast to India's lower-order, led by No.9 Axar Patel (84), Ravindra Jadeja (70) and Mohammad Shami (37).

Cummins admitted spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja, who took 15 wickets for the match between them, had proved a handful.

"A lot of it was good bowling, two masters of their craft, fresh legs, they bowled really well," he said.

"In saying that I don't think much is going to change the next couple of games. That's what we're going to come against so we have to find better methods.

"You saw Smithy and Alex Carey at times put the pressure back on the bowlers. I think it takes a bit of bravery, it's easier said than done.

"If you're just facing ball after ball and the bowler's pretty good, you're going to get one with your name on it.

"Again, that will be the conversation this week. If we get the same conditions, same bowlers, what are we going to do differently? I think at times probably being more proactive."

The loss was just the second of Cummins' tenure, having also overseen a similar defeat in their previously most recent Test on the subcontinent when they were beaten by an innings in Galle by Sri Lanka last year.

Australia had previously won a tight series in Pakistan before that, while they have not lost at home since Cummins took over from Tim Paine at the start of the 2021-22 Ashes.

“I think sometimes it's almost easier to put behind you those kind of losses," he said.

"You are looking at small margins, you have to have a hard look at your game and the big strides you need to change to give yourself the best chance next week.

“We’ve had a really good run the last 12 months.

"There hasn’t been many losses in that change room. I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel, it’s just tweaking different approaches to how we play and maybe particular methods."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mit...nd-test-delhi-bowler-return-injury/2023-02-11

 

[WengerOut]

Except for the footmarks creation, i think Starc brings nothing more than Boland. The runs he could score would be balanced by the runs he concedes.

 

[deep82]

IND needs 3-1 or better to directly secure WTC finals berth without reliance on other teams.
IND needs 2-0 or better to secure No.1 rank in ICC test rankings.

2 Test wins should be enough for India to quality for WTC Final (need one now after thrashing Aus in the first test)

Need 3 wins only if SL whitewash NZ 2-0- the chances of that happening is almost zero.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Border Gavaskar Trophy. Border has chimed in

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...r-wants-aus-to-play-with-harder-edge-8439033/

‘We are giving thumbs up when they’re beating us outside off stump. What the hell is going on?’: Allan Border wants AUS to play with harder edge

 

[Front Foot Pull]

2 Test wins should be enough for India to quality for WTC Final (need one now after thrashing Aus in the first test)

Need 3 wins only if SL whitewash NZ 2-0- the chances of that happening is almost zero.

i know which is why i've used 'without reliance on other teams'. i also know SL whitewashing nz in nz is tough, just stated the qualification criteria considering mathematical chances.

 

[MenInG]

The third Test of the ongoing series between India and Australia scheduled to be played in Dharamsala from March 1 to 5 is all set to be shifted to another venue as the relaid outfield is not match ready, according to a report. It is understood that BCCI curator Taposh Chatterjee visited the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium to inspect the pitch and the outfield. He will submit his report to the top brass of the BCCI for a final call.

Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam are among the venues where the third Test can be shifted to.

"There are certain BCCI parameters that one needs to fit in in order to host the match. No competitive game has been played on this ground and also the outfield isn't ready," a senior BCCI source said.

While 16 days are left for the match to begin, weather in Dharamsala can also play spoilsport as back-to-back international games there were washouts.

The outfield has bald areas and forecast of rain in next few days could halt the work under progress.

"We have told that given a chance we would like to host the game but it's up to the BCCI to decide. The curator's report would be based on parameters," a HPCA source privy to development said.

A Test in Dharamsala is one of the most awaited matches as that is considered to be a track conducive for pacers and also a destination ideal for cricket tourism.

A BCCI team has also inspected the venue few weeks back.

The likely shifting of the venue out of Dharamsala will disappoint thousands of fans longing for a world class Test match there.

NDTV

 

[Saurav]

Except for the footmarks creation, i think Starc brings nothing more than Boland. The runs he could score would be balanced by the runs he concedes.

extra pace.

I know he has poor record in India but can always run through the lower order

 

[MenInG]

Venue for third Test shifted to Indore from Dharamsala

The third Test of the Mastercard Australia tour of India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, originally scheduled to take place at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala from 1st to 5th March has now been moved to Holkar Stadium, Indore.

Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully.

The schedule for the remaining three Tests is as below.

https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2023/n...hifted-to-indore-from-dharamsala?type=Latest#

 

[cricketjoshila]

Aussies should give Lance Morris a go. Express pace and reverse swing will work in Delhi.

 

[JattMaula]

Aussies should give Lance Morris a go. Express pace and reverse swing will work in Delhi.

Good chance for going at 5 rpo in low scoring shootout.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

the newly relaid outfield in dharamshala couldn't grow grass quick enough to be ready for the test. couldn't figure it out much before? couldn't predict the growth in the those conditions prior? poor job.

took away the scenic venue from the series and giving us the rubbish indore mini park.
2nd test in ugly delhi stadium
3rd test in indore backyard stadium

rubbish rubbish rubbish from BCCI.

 

[Front Foot Pull]

India squads for last two Tests of Border-Gavaskar Trophy and ODI series announced

India squads for last two Tests of Border-Gavaskar Trophy and ODI series announced

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has picked squads for the ongoing Mastercard Australia Tour of India for the third and fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the three-match ODI series.

India’s Test squad for third and fourth Test against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), K L Rahul, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

India’s ODI squad against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, K L Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Jaydev Unadkat.

Note: Mr Rohit Sharma will be unavailable for the first ODI due to family commitments and Mr Hardik Pandya will lead the side in the first ODI.

https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2023/n...n-the-mic-with-ravindra-jadeja-and-axar-patel

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Very good decision. Hopefully this is the first step towards removing him from the team. Next step should be kick him out of the team.

KL Rahul removed from India vice-captaincy post for remainder of Border-Gavaskar Trophy after batting slump in Tests

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...r-batting-slump-in-tests-101676813338755.html

 

[Savak]

Australian experts have criticized the attitude of Cricket Australia, the players ie they should have properly been preparing for the Indian series for like months in advance because ultimately nothing beats preperation and hard work. The key players and batters should have skipped the big Bash but Cricket Australia was desperate to have the top Australian players play in that tournament to revive its fortunes and to prevent the players going to SA T20 League and the Emirates League.

Even the 2004 Australian powerful side which won 2-1 in India spent months preparing for the Indian series where they practiced non stop on spinning tracks, batsmen planned on how they would construct their innings, working on their defensive techniques, making plans for the bowlers they would be facing.

Similarly the Australian bowlers made game plans on how they would bowl on the Indian wickets, the field placings they would employ to get wickets and to restrict the scoring rates.

Don't think this present Australian team has the same professionalism or commitment. A lot of these Australian players have toured India many times now and have plenty of IPL experience as well.

No excuse for such a below par performance but then again India is just a gun team now at home.

 

[Monsee]

For all those attacking me for making a comment that has been proven 110% correct, stay shush or at least accept you were wrong in going after me...list is getting rather long now:

Starc, Hazelwood, Green (all three missing so far), Warner (playing almost as if he doesn't even wanna play), rest of the top order mostly playing as if they have never played with a cricket ball. These are far from the Aussies we have seen all our lives, no matter what the conditions.

Yes, India probably played exceptionally well, pitches bamboozled Aussies who were not expecting pin point pitch 'grafting' from spot to spot, crowd played some role too...but the way Aussies have played, it is as if IPL contracts had a section about giving up even before the match actually started!

 

[JaDed]

We shush everyone with IPL except when we tour them, damn those Proteas not letting us even draw a series there since 2010 and we have been letting them get hefty IPL contracts.

 

[giri26]

For all those attacking me for making a comment that has been proven 110% correct, stay shush or at least accept you were wrong in going after me...list is getting rather long now:

Starc, Hazelwood, Green (all three missing so far), Warner (playing almost as if he doesn't even wanna play), rest of the top order mostly playing as if they have never played with a cricket ball. These are far from the Aussies we have seen all our lives, no matter what the conditions.

Yes, India probably played exceptionally well, pitches bamboozled Aussies who were not expecting pin point pitch 'grafting' from spot to spot, crowd played some role too...but the way Aussies have played, it is as if IPL contracts had a section about giving up even before the match actually started!

Even during their prime Australia always struggled against India except for 2004/05 series in India. Australia aren't the same team they were before and only Pakistan with horrible pitches allowed them to win in the subcontinent. Australia does not have the right batters to play in India. You are talking as if David Warner is second coming of Bradman. His record in India is poor and he has struggled in Tests on these pitches. If Australia a had to win they needed runs from Steven Smith and they haven't got those. None of the Aussie pacers in the current team have a great record against India in India.

When India toured Australia in 2021/22 they played without, Virat, Shami, Yadav, Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja and still managed to win. Also Australians always held most IPL contracts since the inception of IPL in 2008 but hammered India in 2011/12, 2015 in Australia. Not sure why those contract did not include the clause you mentioned. Accept the fact that this Australian team isn't good enough to compete anywhere outside Australia unless they play on the flat pancakes of Pakistan.

Buttler, Bairstow, Stokes all hold IPL contracts with high salaries and so do South African bowlers, not sure why they don't execute the clause and loose series to India.

 

[JattMaula]

We shush everyone with IPL except when we tour them, damn those Proteas not letting us even draw a series there since 2010 and we have been letting them get hefty IPL contracts.

I want all the ICC trophies that are owed to us for all that ipl money.

I count 2 odi wc 2015 and 2019 and 6 T20 wcs.

And kiwis keep defeating us in worldcups still we keep giving them big ipl contracts. This stops now.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

For all those attacking me for making a comment that has been proven 110% correct, stay shush or at least accept you were wrong in going after me...list is getting rather long now:

Starc, Hazelwood, Green (all three missing so far), Warner (playing almost as if he doesn't even wanna play), rest of the top order mostly playing as if they have never played with a cricket ball. These are far from the Aussies we have seen all our lives, no matter what the conditions.

Yes, India probably played exceptionally well, pitches bamboozled Aussies who were not expecting pin point pitch 'grafting' from spot to spot, crowd played some role too...but the way Aussies have played, it is as if IPL contracts had a section about giving up even before the match actually started!

Meh. You just sore that even your greats get their backsides handed to them by the OZ for the last 27 years. Nice coping mechanism

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I want all the ICC trophies that are owed to us for all that ipl money.

I count 2 odi wc 2015 and 2019 and 6 T20 wcs.

And kiwis keep defeating us in worldcups still we keep giving them big ipl contracts. This stops now.

If we win this series 4-0, then we have already beaten OZ as many times as Pakistan have beaten OZ in 27 years of Test cricket. Some sore losers can never digest that

 

[pillionrider]

If we win this series 4-0, then we have already beaten OZ as many times as Pakistan have beaten OZ in 27 years of Test cricket.

Oh man )

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Border Gavaskar Trophy History

Series: 15
India: 9
Australia: 5
Drawn: 1 (2003/04 in Australia)

Away wins:
India: 2
Australia: 1

Home wins:
India: 7
Australia: 4

Since when are these stats?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australian experts have criticized the attitude of Cricket Australia, the players ie they should have properly been preparing for the Indian series for like months in advance because ultimately nothing beats preperation and hard work. The key players and batters should have skipped the big Bash but Cricket Australia was desperate to have the top Australian players play in that tournament to revive its fortunes and to prevent the players going to SA T20 League and the Emirates League.

Even the 2004 Australian powerful side which won 2-1 in India spent months preparing for the Indian series where they practiced non stop on spinning tracks, batsmen planned on how they would construct their innings, working on their defensive techniques, making plans for the bowlers they would be facing.

Similarly the Australian bowlers made game plans on how they would bowl on the Indian wickets, the field placings they would employ to get wickets and to restrict the scoring rates.

Don't think this present Australian team has the same professionalism or commitment. A lot of these Australian players have toured India many times now and have plenty of IPL experience as well.

No excuse for such a below par performance but then again India is just a gun team now at home.

In 2004/05 series Tendulkar did not play two tests. Also Australia got away due to 5th day wash out in one of the test.

 

[jnaveen1980]

For all those attacking me for making a comment that has been proven 110% correct, stay shush or at least accept you were wrong in going after me...list is getting rather long now:

Starc, Hazelwood, Green (all three missing so far), Warner (playing almost as if he doesn't even wanna play), rest of the top order mostly playing as if they have never played with a cricket ball. These are far from the Aussies we have seen all our lives, no matter what the conditions.

Yes, India probably played exceptionally well, pitches bamboozled Aussies who were not expecting pin point pitch 'grafting' from spot to spot, crowd played some role too...but the way Aussies have played, it is as if IPL contracts had a section about giving up even before the match actually started!

While they are at this they moved the earth axis to make the life difficult for Australia

 

[Front Foot Pull]

For all those attacking me for making a comment that has been proven 110% correct, stay shush or at least accept you were wrong in going after me...list is getting rather long now:

Starc, Hazelwood, Green (all three missing so far), Warner (playing almost as if he doesn't even wanna play), rest of the top order mostly playing as if they have never played with a cricket ball. These are far from the Aussies we have seen all our lives, no matter what the conditions.

Yes, India probably played exceptionally well, pitches bamboozled Aussies who were not expecting pin point pitch 'grafting' from spot to spot, crowd played some role too...but the way Aussies have played, it is as if IPL contracts had a section about giving up even before the match actually started!

damn you BCCI, should've included similar 'giving up sections' in ipl contracts of those SA and NZ players as well, they wouldn't have defeated us in our recent test tours.

anyways thanks for the comedy the coping mechanism, bitterness, helplessness of some of the posters in this forum does provide comic relief from time to time.

 

[MenInG]

Australian men's squad for the Qantas ODI tour of India
Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh return to Australian colours for the One-Day International Series against India next month.

Maxwell (broken leg) and Marsh (ankle) have been included in the 16-player squad for the three ODI games which follow the Qantas Test Series.

Victorian Maxwell returned to play last week with games in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition and Marsh Sheffield Shield for Victoria while Marsh is expected to play the next two Marsh Cup matches for Western Australia before heading to India.

Australian squad:

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Jhye Richardson also makes a return to the Australian team having recovered from a hamstring strain which ruled him out of the BBL finals.

Chair of Selectors George Bailey said: “With the World Cup just over seven months away, these matches in India are an important step in our preparation. Glenn, Mitchell and Jhye are all important players in what we think the squad might look like come October.”

Josh Hazlewood has not been named in the squad to fully overcome an achilles injury as he prepares for a potential World Test Championship final and the Ashes in England.

“It would be great for Josh to be part of this series but we have taken a conservative view ahead of a very important winter in England of which he will be an integral part,” Bailey said.

Australia plays India in Mumbai (March 17), Vizag (March 19) and Chennai (March 22).

 

[Front Foot Pull]

Rohit ponders dress rehearsal for WTC final in Ahmedabad

If they seal qualification for the World Test Championship final in England, then India will consider simulating those conditions and personnel in the fourth Test of the ongoing series against Australia, admitted skipper Rohit Sharma.

"There is definitely a possibility of that," Rohit said on the eve of the Indore Test. "We have already spoken about it. We need to get the guys ready for it. The important one is Shardul Thakur, because he comes into the planning for us. We don't know how ready he is since he has just gotten married. We don't know how many overs he has bowled. But that thought process is definitely there. If we do what we do here and get the result we want, we might think of doing something different in Ahmedabad for sure."

https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/125705/rohit-sharma-ponders-green-top-possibility-in-ahmedabad-if-india-make-wtc-final