The first Test match of the 4 match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will be played at the Vidarbha cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur Maharashtra. The match will start at 9:30 PM IST.
This test series is a vital one for India, as it will determine whether India will go on to play the WTC final or not. Wining this test series will mean India qualifying for the WTC final, to be played in England in the month of June. The most awaited test series of the thousands of cricket lovers across the world, we will get to see some real fireworks. Players like Virat Kohli, Steven Smith and David Warner Will be locking horns With each other in this series. India will have to go out there and play a meaningful game against a great opponent like Australia. They cannot afford to give them an inch because they are one hell of a side who never let opportunities go, and latch on to any lapse from the opposite side. India will have to be switched on movement to movement to capture the crucial moments in the game.
Talking about the design and strategy of the game, if India gets the chance to bat in the first morning of the Test match, they need to bat cautiously, look to build their innings and venture towards a big score in the innings. Putting pressure on the Australian batting line-up with their bowling can be done latter and vice versa. If India get a chance to bowl they should try to dismiss Australia far a low score and bat well themselves to register a big score on the board. in case the pitch is a low and a slow one, the batsmen will have to play most of their shots with a straight bat, because in test matches if you try to play Cross batted shots you will be as good as a dead duck found plump LBW Infront of the stumps.
If the pitch has even a little bit of bounce in it then you can think of playing shots Square of the wicket on the offside. In a Test match as a batsman you have to give the first hour to the bowler, then as you settle down you can play your shots with comfort and ease.
The Australians are known to be playing fast bowling well but they struggle against spin and that sure can be a huge minus. And if they want to compete in this series, they will have to work hard on this area, devise a method by which they can play spin competently.
TFG Fantasy Stars for IND vs AUS
India
Shubman Gill is a class looking player and has a lot of pedigree to him. He can play a gorgeously fantastic backfoot square cut through the offside and dish out a thumping pull shot in front of mid-wicket. His cut shot through deep cover is beautiful and also plays lovely inside out shot over cover. He has played 13 test matches, scored 736 runs, with a batting average of 32.00 and a strike rate of 57.86 in his International test career so far.
Rohit Sharma can play a gorgeous on drive straight down the ground, Swirl pull over square leg and a classy sweep shot through short fine leg. He also plays a stunning cover drive through the covers .He has played 45 test matches, scored 3137 runs, with a batting average of 46.13 and a strike rate of 55.76 in his International test career so far.
Cheteshwar Pujara plays a beautiful flick shot through the onside and a stunning cut short between point and the offside He plays a gorgeous extra cover drive With the spin through the cover. He has 98 played matches, scored 7014 runs, with a batting average of 44.39 and a strike rate of 44.44 in his International test career so far.
Australia
David Warner can play the pull and cut shot well through the offside and also the pickup flick well through the legside. His off drive through mid-on are prudent and his sweep shot through deep mid-wicket impressive. He is a bundle of energy and a pocket size dynamite, who if settles down he can generate a lot of heat on the ground. This highly skilled player has played 101 International matches, scored 8132 runs, with a batting average of 46.20 and a strike rate of 71.37 in his International test career so far.
Usman Khawaja can play the cut shot really hard through the offside, hit a lovely cover drive through the covers and play delightful reverse sweep through deep midwicket. He can also play a lovely extra cover drive over extra cover. He is a technically sound cricketer and a very important cog in Australia's wheel. He has played 56 test matches, scored 4162 runs, with a batting average of 47.83 and a strike rate of 58.88 in his International test career so far.
Steven Smith can play a point flick through the leg side and hit a really gorgeous square cut through the off side. He can play a technically correct pull shot with precision through square leg. The king pin of the Australian batting line-up Steven Smith is a very tough man to bowl to, as he gets into unusual positions and leaves you spellbound. He has played 92 test matches, scored 8647 runs, with a batting average of 60.89 and a strike rate of 54.38 in his International test career so far.
Possible 11: IND
Shubham Gill, Rohit Sharma , Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Srikar Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja , Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed siraj, Mohammed Shami.
Possible 11: AUS
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy.
TFG Fantasy Picks for IND vs AUS