Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
IND vs AUS 1st Test Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs AUS 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | Nagpur Pitch Report
A little over two years since India’s incredible triumph at the Gabba, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is back. And this time, it’s on their own turf.
This is without a doubt Pat Cummins’ most challenging test as Australia captain to date. The Australians performed admirably in Asia last year, but India, who have lost just two of 42 Tests at home since the start of 2013, is a much tougher assignment. A number of players will make their debuts in this country, with question marks over the likes of David Warner and Travis Head against spin. Also, will there be enough support for Nathan Lyon?
These questions, among others, need to be answered positively by the Australians. A good start is vital to being competitive in the remainder of the series, especially with a World Test Championship final right at their fingertips.
With regards to India, they will be raring to go. They have lost just one of their last 15 home Tests against Australia since 2004, and their magnificent spin attack is more than capable of keeping that record going. However, as their last match in Dhaka showed, any significant assistance for the spinners can test their batsmen who haven’t been at their best against the turning ball in recent times.
Match Details
- Location: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
- Match dates and start time: February 9-13 2023, 9:30am (IST).
- For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.
ALSO READ: Will Australia win the Test series in India? 3 arguments for and against
IND vs AUS 1st Test Possible Playing XI
Some reports are suggesting India may pick up to four spinners. Also, the home side may choose to open with the in form Shubman Gill, who hit 259 runs in three Tests in Australia in 2020/21.
For more information, check out CricBlog’s predicted India XI for the first Test.
India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli, 5. KL Rahul/Suryakumar Yadav, 6. KS Bharat (wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Axar Patel, 10. Umesh Yadav/Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Mohammed Siraj/Mohammed Shami
Cameron Green is considered unlikely to play. Peter Handscomb is set to come in, and there is a chance he could replace Travis Head with Matt Renshaw to also play.
It remains to be seen who Australia choose in their attack with Josh Hazlewood ruled out, with the possibility of three specialist spinners. Reports suggest Todd Murphy will debut.
Check out CricBlog’s predicted Australia XI for the first Test.
Australia: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. David Warner, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head/Matt Renshaw, 6. Peter Handscomb, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Scott Boland 10. Ashton Agar/Todd Murphy, 11. Nathan Lyon
CricBlog is running a fan poll on the future of cricket. What’s your say? Complete it here.
- Future of ODIs
- Future of Tests
- What the IPL will look like
- and more…
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
India:
- Virat Kohli has two centuries in four Test innings at Nagpur, including a double ton. India’s star number four will be aiming to make amends for his poor 2017 series against Australia, where he averaged just 9.20.
- Expect Cheteshwar Pujara to be a tough nut to crack. In home Tests against Australia, Pujara has scored 900 runs in nine Tests at an average of 64.28.
- R Ashwin, of course. The classy offspinner has 50 wickets in eight home Tests against the Aussies (avg. 23.16). Importantly, he will be looking to get the better of David Warner early, whom he has dismissed ten times at an average of 18.2 in Tests.
- Ravindra Jadeja has made a successful return from injury. He took 7/53 for Saurashtra in late January.
- Jadeja loves bowling against Australia in India. He has taken 49 wickets in eight Tests at an average of 18.02.
- Axar Patel’s bowling record in India: 6 matches, 39 wickets, avg. 12.43, SR 33.5.
Australia:
- Steve Smith is undoubtedly Australia’s most important player. The magnificent number four averages 60.00 in six Tests in India, with a total of 600 runs.
- Smith averages 57 against Ashwin on Indian soil. Jadeja has dismissed him four times at an average of 37.8 in India, but Smith has faced a whopping 474 deliveries against the left-arm spinner.
- Usman Khawaja scored 1,080 runs in 2022, and averages 57.58 in 12 Tests in Asia. Now, he gears up for his first game in India.
- Australia’s middle order will have a vital role. Alex Carey is one of those players who can score quickly against spin. In fact, he strikes at 61.1 against finger spin in Tests to date (245 runs, avg. 35.00).
- Nathan Lyon is Australia’s go-to man. The offspinner was magnificent in India in 2017, where he took 19 wickets at an average of 25.26.
- Ashton Agar, if picked, will have a crucial role to play. Pujara averages 27.8 against left-arm orthodox since the start of 2021, so Agar could be tasked with trying to dismiss India’s number three early.
- Pat Cummins has taken 28 wickets at an average of 28.78 in nine Tests in Asia. The skipper has an excellent Test record against Virat Kohli, with total figures of 5/82 off 247 balls.
Other Stats and Facts
- Australia have not won a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series since 2014/15. India have won the past three.
- Cheteshwar Pujara faces an average of 120.78 deliveries per innings against Australia, home and away.
- Marnus Labuschagne hit a century in his last Test in Asia, against Sri Lanka at Galle.
- Travis Head averages 57.40 in 22 home Tests but just 21.69 in nine away games.
- Rohit Sharma averages a mammoth 73.33 in 20 home Tests (1,760 runs).
ALSO READ: Will Australia win the Test series in India? 3 arguments for and against
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium Nagpur Pitch Report and Weather
The Nagpur pitch is very dry. According to a report from cricket.com.au, there are already some cracks in the surface, which makes it an easy decision to bat first for the captain who wins the toss. Also, it is expected to be very difficult for the left-handers as the game goes on, given the curators are leaving areas outside their off-stump drier than the rest of the pitch.
So, both teams may play at least three specialist spinners each.
The average first innings score in six Tests at Nagpur is 324, significantly boosted by India’s 610/6 against Sri Lanka in 2017. In 2015, it was a sharp turning track that produced a low-scoring match between India and South Africa.
Hot and clear weather is forecast right throughout the match, with temperatures ranging from about 32-35 degrees.
IND vs AUS 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today Match 9-13 February 2023
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Fan2Play Prediction
If you’re looking for an alternative to Dream11, Fan2Play offers different contests such as 2, 3 and 4 player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.
Base Team:
- Wicket-Keepers: Alex Carey
- Batsmen: Steve Smith, Cheteshwar Pujara
- All-Rounders: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Nathan Lyon
IND vs AUS 1st Test 2023 Match Prediction – Who will win?
India look strong at home and should win this first Test.
CricBlog is running a fan poll on the future of cricket. What’s your say? Complete it here.
- Future of ODIs
- Future of Tests
- What the IPL will look like
- and more…
