Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Australia vs India 2nd Test Preview + Dream11

India’s Test tour of Australia was much anticipated.

We saw why in Adelaide. Fans witnessed an enthralling Test that went the distance, with a roller-coaster of emotions. We want more, and we’ll get it in Perth.

The pitch has formed much of the conversation ahead of the second Test, with WACA curator Brett Sipthorpe claiming plenty of seam and bounce awaits the batsmen. However, the significant grass on the surface at the new Optus Stadium is expected to be cut, with the pitch rolled, but an interesting decision awaits the captain who wins the toss. Is it a better one to lose?

Australia lost the first Test of a home series for just the fourth time in the last 30 years, and must bounce back quickly. Australia’s top order rightly came in for scrutiny, putting together a display that cried of a lack of confidence and direction. That the bowlers outperformed the batsmen is of huge concern, and given the Perth track is expected to have pace, the Indians have the resources to take advantage. Can the Aussies bounce back in Perth?

Will this be a series full of firsts for India? They won the first match of a series in Australia for the first time in their quest to win their first ever series down under. Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, the latter key to India’s efforts, have been ruled out with injury, but India still possess the resources to cause Australia trouble. India’s batsmen will be tested against an Australian attack looking to improve, and if India can get in front as they did in Adelaide, they will be hard to run down. 

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Key to an Australia win

Australia have confirmed that they will go in with the same team, but will they make shifts in the batting order? 

Aaron Finch looked to be out of his depth in Adelaide, and the likes of Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb couldn’t get going. There is no secret that Australia’s top six is key to Australia’s chances, who must stave off loose strokeplay in their quest to get on top of India’s fine attack. Discipline on off stump is crucial, so too Australia’s ability to maneuver the gaps on what is expected to be a track similar to the first ODI against South Africa last month. However, as a result of Australia’s line up struggling for confidence, the performances of the lower order will be crucial too, as this is an area they have a clear advantage over India. Can the Aussies put together a complete batting performance?

Of course, good lower order batting performances might not be enough on its own, as Adelaide showed. But, can the quick bowlers win the battle against India’s? India swung, seamed and bowled the ball in better areas more than Australia in Adelaide, which is something that needs to fire the Australians up. Mitchell Starc, despite respectable figures, was poor, and on a quick Perth track, Australia will be calling on him to spearhead an attack that includes Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins – both of whom look like they could be in the big wickets at any time. Can the Aussies reduce the Indians to three or four for not many again, but this time carry on with the job? All to play for.

Key to an India win

All the talk was about Virat Kohli ahead of the Adelaide Test, but India won with Kohli scoring just 37 runs. This is highly encouraging for the tourists, who were led by the brilliant Cheteshwar Pujara, who proved his worth in emphatic fashion. On a pitch expected to do more than Adelaide, how will India’s batsmen cope? Can Murali Vijay and KL Rahul build on their important second innings partnership last Saturday? Will Pujara be a thorn in Australia’s side again? Will Virat Kohli fire like we know how in this Test? As mentioned, given Australia’s lower order is superior, India’s top seven have a crucial role to play in this Test.

But, what could ultimately be the key to the result is what damage India can cause to Australia’s top six. India were relentless at times in Adelaide, honing in on the off stump time and time again. The stats highlighting the difference between the two sides is no surprise given what happened in Adelaide, but the challenge for the Indians will be backing up their big effort with another one. The loss of Ravichandran Ashwin creates a bit of uncertainty as to who replaces him, but one thing is certain; Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah need to focus again on pitching the ball full, drawing the Australian batsmen forward, and not getting carried away by bowling short on a bouncy track.

READ: 15 funny cricket tweets!

Possible Playing XIs

It is not a “possible” playing XI for Australia, but rather a confirmed one. The only question is whether there will be a shift in the batting line up. Usman Khawaja could open, with Aaron Finch down the order.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch, 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Usman Khawaja, 4. Shaun Marsh, 5. Peter Handscomb, 6. Travis Head, 7. Tim Paine (wk), 8. Patrick Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

Things are a little less set in stone for India with injuries to Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Personal opinion suggests Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a good option for Perth, with either Hanuma Vihari or Ravindra Jadeja to replace Rohit Sharma, depending on whether India want a spinner. Prthivi Shaw is still not fit to play.

India: 1. Murali Vijay, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Hanuma Vihari, 7 Rishabh Pant (wk), 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Ishant Sharma, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Dream11

Can I please pick six or seven bowlers?! Below are a few Dream11 options, with a few pointers.

Preferred:

• Will Rishabh Pant outscore Tim Paine again? Perhaps, but Paine is likelier to score more runs, in my opinion.
• Will Cheteshwar Pujara back up his huge Adelaide effort? Shaun Marsh is back in his home city, and Usman Khawaja is due for runs.
• Virat Kohli is my captain.
• Travis Head is the only allrounder certain of a start.
• Four bowlers or five? I am hesitant picking Mitchell Starc given his indifferent form (but is proven to fire amid criticism), and Nathan Lyon as conditions are conducive to a holding role for a spinner (even though conditions are expected to be hot). Mohammed Shami is also an excellent option.

Stats and Facts

• India won by 31 runs in Adelaide, avenging their 48-run loss at the same ground in 2014.
• India’s fast bowlers have a strike rate of 47.3 in Tests in 2018 – their best ever in a calendar year.
• Mitchell Starc needs nine wickets to reach 200 in Tests.
• Perth’s Optus Stadium will become Australia’s tenth Test venue.

Prediction

What a tough one to pick.

Head or heart?

In my five predictions for this series, I picked Australia to win 2-1, and given they came close in Adelaide despite playing quite poorly at times, I will predict Australia will win off the back of an improved display in a city where they have enjoyed success in the past.

However, India start as deserved favourites.

Thanks for reading!

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Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!