The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 kicks off on November 22 with the first Test at Perth Stadium, setting the stage for an exciting clash between India and Australia. Pat Cummins will lead the Australian side, while Jasprit Bumrah takes charge of India. Key players to watch from Australia include experienced batsmen Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith, alongside pace specialists Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
India’s top-order, featuring Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, will look to tackle Australia’s formidable attack, with Rishabh Pant adding dynamism to the batting lineup. The spin battle will be another intriguing aspect, as Nathan Lyon faces off against India’s star spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
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Historically, the two teams have met 107 times in Test cricket, with Australia winning 45 matches and India securing 32 victories. As these cricketing giants collide, the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to deliver high-stakes drama and memorable performances.
Australia
Australia are expected to field a strong side for the Perth Test, where they have remained unbeaten since 2018. Nathan McSweeney is set for his debut, with Mitchell Marsh stepping in as the pace-bowling all-rounder in Cameron Green’s absence.
Probable XI: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khwaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India
India will make a few changes, with Ravichandran Ashwin replacing Ravindra Jadeja as the specialist spinner. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also set to make his Test debut as the fourth pacer. In the pace attack, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are automatic picks, while the third seamer’s spot will be contested between Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. Should Shubman Gill fail to recover from his thumb injury, Devdutt Padikkal is likely to take his place at number three.
Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep/Prasidh Krishna.
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli (c), Steve Smith, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Travis Head, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (vc), Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Travis Head (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Mitchell Marsh, Washington Sundar, Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc
