After India’s emphatic performance against England at home across all formats, all eyes are now set to witness another nail-biting Test series. The first Test between India and Australia will begin on February 23, 2017 – just a few hours from now onwards. The world’s top two ranking teams will lock horns in Pune for the first encounter of this four-Test series.
India vs Australia 2017
Australia will have a golden opportunity to avenge the 16-year-old embarrassment that they faced when Ganguly-led Indian cricket team halted Australia’s winning streak after 16 consecutive wins in 2001. India is also currently riding its winning wagon at home with unbeaten streak in 19 consecutive Test matches. Can Australia stop India’s undefeated streak?
It would be an uphill task for the Aussies to stop men-in-blue under any circumstances. Considering the recent lackadaisical performance by the Aussies in the last few months, it won’t be easy for the Kangaroo team to beat India at home. Last time, Australia toured India in 2013 under the captaincy of Michael Clarke; they lost the series 4-0.
Also Read: India vs Australia: Season Pass for 2nd Test Match on sale on BookMyShow
A few hours back, Australia’s vice-captain David Warner brushed aside any tension within his team about this series. “The guys are in a great frame of mind, we’re ready to go. We’re pumped,” said Warner. Currently, India are on top of the ICC Test team rankings, Australia will definitely try to disrobe India of this honour and instead reach the number uno spot.
The young Australian team under the skipper Steven Smith will definitely try to trouble India this time. Aussies have capable match winners in their side, who can turn a match anytime in team’s favor. Australia should get some inspirations from their recent bilateral series against India Down Under when Kangaroo beat India 2-0 last year.
For India, Virat Kohli will be a key as far as India’s batting is concerned. The sublime form of Indian captain can be gauged from the fact that he hit four double centuries in the last eight months. Similarly, Ashwin’s long bowling spells will be crucial too at this series.
Ashwin is really a talented bowler and can bowl astoundingly well on Indian subcontinent pitches. The Aussie legend Steve Waugh coined the term “Bradman of Bowling” for Ashwin a recent while back. It clearly indicates Ashwin’s emergence as the top-rated bowler in the last couple of years.
Interestingly, the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner have given free hand to his team mates to engage in ugly banter match or sledging practice against India. Well, Aussie players are well known for it. India need to tackle the sledging sensibly without losing their cool and focus from the match. In fact, Warner had already said that if sledging brings out the best from Aussie players then why shouldn’t they do it?
Probably XI (Both Teams):
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya.
Australia: Steve Smith (Captain), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb (Wicket Keeper), Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
Tags: 1st Test, Australia, India, Preview, Pune, Steve Smith, Test Match, Virat Kohli
