Match Details
Date: 09-13 February 2023
Time: 9:30 AM IST
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
Live Scores: SportsTiger App
Preview
India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the first match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 which will be played from 9-13 February in Nagpur. Being the series opener, the game holds significant importance for both teams as they will look to take an early lead. There has been a massive buildup around this four-match Test series as a spot in the World Test Championship Final is up for grabs, from India’s perspective. Meanwhile, Australia are looking to end the series win drought.
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Both India and Australia are hit with injuries. While the Kangaroos will miss the services of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Cameron Green (bowling mostly), India are without their spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. Nevertheless, India and Australia have selected a strong squad from the available pool of players and are expected to field an equally strong playing XI for the first Test.
Both teams boast of a heavy batting lineup. While Australia have got Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, Travis Head, and Usman Khawaja; India have got Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. The bowling lineups of two teams also feature top stars like Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, R Ashwin, and R Jadeja.
Pitch Report
There has been a lot of talk about how the Nagpur pitch will play. While some are expecting it to be a rank turner, like in 2017, some think a typical subcontinent wicket will be curated. Nevertheless, in both cases, spinners are expected to play a key role with enough assistance. Meanwhile, batters will be able to score runs in the first three days.
SportsTiger Playing XI of India
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
SportsTiger Playing XI of Australia
Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson, Scott Boland
Match Prediction
Conclusion
It is expected to be a thrilling contest when the two teams take on each other for five days, starting on 9 February. While Australia have got the form, India have not lost a series at home against the Kangaroos after 2004. Also, India’s win record is pretty intact at Nagpur. So, the hosts are expected to win the first Test.
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