India are all set to host Pat Cummins-led Australia for a four-match Test series, starting on February 9. The first Test will be played in Nagpur at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. It is an important series for Rohit Sharma-led India as they eye the empty spot in the World Test Championship Final. However, it will be a daunting task to go past in-form Australia.
India will be without Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant which makes them vulnerable against a star-studded Australia. However, the Kangaroos will also be missing some of their key players like Mitchell Starc. Cameron Green’s availability is also not certain at the moment. Nevertheless, Australia will still fancy their chances and will hope to take an early lead in the series.
Meanwhile, India will want nothing less than a win as this Test will set the tone for the rest of the series. For that, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will have to field their best XI. So, here is an article on what could be India’s possible XI for the first Test against Australia.
Top order: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, being the captain and the vice-captain look all set to open the innings for India. It has been a long time since the two batters opened the innings but their success in England might compel the management to go with this pair rather than the Shubman Gill-Rohit Sharma pair. Meanwhile, coming on the back of a brilliant outing in Bangladesh, Cheteshwar Pujara is all set to take up his usual batting position.
