The most recent Test Series between India and Australia will go down in history as one of the best Test Series ever played. Documentaries have been made about it, books have been written, and India scripted what is considered one of the best underdog comebacks of all time. Australia looking for revenge and has victories in Pakistan and Sri Lanka to boost its confidence.
India
India does not lose often at home. In fact, when it does, it is a break from normal tradition and sparks interest around the world. It has lost just one out of its previous 22 matches at home, won its previous 15 Test series at home, and has lost just one out of the previous 15 Test matches it has played against Australia at home.
So why do people think India is vulnerable at home this time around?
India is missing some of its key players because of injury. Rishab Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah are all unavailable for this series. This means India's two best batters against spin and by far the best fast bowler have already been taken out of consideration.
India is, however, more than just a few players and has an immense amount of depth in its lineup. Rohit Sharma will be back for the series alongside KL Rahul with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in the middle order. It is Pujara who has defied the Australians series after series and he is also a very good player of spin. Virat Kohli, though, has struggled a bit against Australia in the recent series and also against spin, in general.
Who are India's replacements for Rishab Pant and Ishan Kishan?
This is a very important question. We think India is going to start with Srikar Bharat as the Wicketkeeper and Suryakumar Yadav making his debut at number 5. Both of them are excellent players of spin and have had a taste of international cricket already. SKY has yet to crack the code of the longer format but there is no doubt he is one of the most exciting batters in the world at the moment.
One dark horse for a place in the playing eleven could be Shubman Gill who has scored four international centuries in 2023 already.
What are India's Strengths?
This answer is quite simple! India has three incredible spinners in its lineup that will try to make life very tough for the Australians. Ravi Ashwin is the obvious big threat in the mind of the Aussies (they actually have a 'fake Ashwin' bowling to them in the nets) but do not discount the effectiveness of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
Mohammad Siraj is also going to be quite difficult with the reverse swing he can generate.
Australia
Australia is the most successful team in the current cycle of the World Test Championship and all but through to the WTC 2023 Final. It has also done well in Asia on its previous two tours (1-1 Draw in Sri Lanka and 1-0 Win in Pakistan) and brings in its lineup some of the biggest names in Test cricket. It has also taken some unique methods of preparing for India.
What is Australia doing to prepare for the Test Match in India?
Australia practiced in Sydney on a worn-out pitch designed to replicate Indian conditions. They have also refused the offer to play a Tour Match and are instead practicing in Bangalore in custom-designed nets. They have added a number of local spinners to the nets including an Ashwin replica, Mahesh Pithiya', who does have a very similar action and style of bowling.
What are Australia's Strengths coming into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023?
For one, the Australians have the two best batters in world cricket right now. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve SMith. Both of them have an excellent record against India, although, this is going to be Labushagne's first Test in India. Steve Smith scored 499 runs in 2017 with three centuries to his name and was absolutely brilliant against spin. If he and Labuschagne are able to play in a similar manner, Australia has a real chance of winning.
Australia's bowling attack is also very strong with Cummins, Lyon, Hazelwood, Starc, and a couple of lesser-known names that we rate very highly indeed.
Why have Todd Murphy and Lance Morris been selected for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023?
Australia has picked two little-known players that could play important roles in the series. Lance Morris (known as the Wild Thing, which he hates) is an express fast-bowler and one of the possibilities to replace Mitchell Starc in the first Test. He is an impact bowler likely to be used for short spells and for scoring the tail-enders.
Todd Murphy is a much more interesting pick. He is considered to be the best young spinner in Australia, bowls very similar to Nathan Lyon, and could play the first Test. He will attack the stumps and the pads of the right-handers, providing no respite to the batters.
What are Australia's Weaknesses?
Most of Australia's batters have a poor record in India. David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Travis Head could struggle against Ashwin, and trying to play the aggressive game could backfire. Also, Australia does not really have a good wrist spin option at its disposal.
Our Predictions
Highest Run Scorer India - Suryakumar Yadav
Highest Wicket taker India - Ravi Ashwin
Highest Run Scorer Australia - Steve Smith
Highest Wicket taker Australia - Nathan Lyon
Series Outcome: 2-1 in favor of India
