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India vs Australia 1st Test Tips - Hosts likely to edge a tight match

By Sridhar Bhamidi

07 Feb 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 07 Feb 2023

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India vs Australia 1st Test predictions for the Test match starting in Nagpur on Thursday afternoon time AEDT, Australia time
India have won 9 of their last 11 home Tests against Australia
India have won 4 of their last 6 Tests at this venue including one against Australia
Australia have lost 11 of their last 18 Tests played in Asia
Cheteshwar Pujara has 7 knocks of 50+ in 16 innings against Australia in Tests
Can Rohit Sharma's men start the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a high by winning the first Test match in Nagpur?

Can India start their Border-Gavaskar Trophy defence on a winning note in Nagpur? (Getty Images)

India vs Australia Tips

Two of the modern day great Test nations India and Australia kickstart their quest for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a four-Test series in India to be played between February – March. The first match will be played at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur from February 9. Action will begin from 9:30 am IST or 3pm AEDT.

India vs Australia Tips
Head to Head
India Form
India Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

India is one of the toughest places to tour and most of the Australian players have acknowledged the same. Despite missing key players like Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer, India remain the favourites on paper because of the conditions. I am putting my money on an Indian win, while Cheteshwar Pujara may fancy his chances of ending as the top match batter.

India have won 9 of their last 11 home matches against Australia (Tests)
India have won 4 of their 6 matches played at this venue including against Australia (Tests)
Australia have lost 11 of their last 18 matches played in Asia (Tests)
Cheteshwar Pujara averages 64.28 against Australia in home matches with 7 scores of 50 or above in 16 innings (Tests)
Virat Kohli was out caught in 9 of his last 10 innings against Australia (Tests)
Steve Smith averages 72.58 against India in 28 innings with 13 scores of 50 and above (Tests)

Head to Head

India vs Australia is one of the iconic series in the recent years. Overall, these sides have played out 102 Tests with India winning 30, Australia winning 43, one match ending in a tie and the remaining 28 ending in draws.

When playing in India, the record is more favourable to the hosts. They have played 50 home Tests so far with India winning 21, losing 13 and drawing 15. It gets even more dominant in the recent years with nine wins out of the last 11 with only one loss.

India Form

Ahead of this series, India are 2nd in the ICC World Test Championship with 58.93 percentage points. Rohit Sharma’s men need a series win by 3-1 margin or better to reach the final regardless of other results.

India were last seen in a Test series in December when they whitewashed Bangladesh 2-0. Despite the final result, that series was a close affair with India stretched at times. India’s struggles against spin and most notably against off-spinners was quite evident.

Playing Australia seems to bring the best out of the hosts though, who have won 2-1 down under in 2021. Even at home, they won the four-Test series 2-1 in 2017.

India Team News

With Rishabh Pant out of the series with an injury, India are likely to hand over a debut to Srikar Bharat, although Ishan Kishan also remains in the fray. All eyes will be on the three-spin attack with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja likely to be partnered by Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.

Australia Form

Australia are top of the ICC World Test Championship table with 75.56 percentage points. They have all but secured a place in the final with the only scenario in which they will miss out is if they lose 4-0 here and Sri Lanka win both their matches in New Zealand.

The Aussies were last seen in this format when they defeated South Africa 2-0 in the three-match series at home in December – January. It was a series that saw most of Australian batters get into rich scoring form, which augurs well for their chances.

That said, the visitors have struggled in India over the years with no series win since 2004. They have lost four series in a row from then, winning just one of the 14 Tests played in that period, while losing ten.

Australia Team News

All-rounder Cameron Green is unlikely to play as he is yet to recover from the fractured finger he suffered during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa. That could see Australia field Peter Handscomb or Matt Renshaw as his replacement. Rookie off-break bowler Todd Murphy could be a surprise pick although Ashton Agar looks more likely to play.

India vs Australia FAQs

Where can I watch the India vs Australia live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the India vs Australia live stream.

What time does India vs Australia start?

This India vs Australia Test match is being played at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur from 3:00pm AEDT Australia time on Thursday, February 9.

Verdict

India v Australia - 1st Test

India and Australia both go into the series opener with questions over their form and personnel. The hosts have the advantage of home conditions working in favour of their lead spinners, although Nathan Lyon looms as a threat.

I am backing a home win in this match although it could be a tight affair. In the individual players market, Cheteshwar Pujara remains an interesting choice to end as the match top batter.

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