In Perth, fast bowlers seem to be everywhere. One such sighting occurred on Plain Street, just a short five-minute stroll from the WACA, where a pace bowler was spotted carrying a bag of groceries. But come 10:20 AM on Friday, Mitchell Starc will trade his relaxed demeanor for a more intense focus.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been quietly building anticipation for some time now. Rohit Sharma faced questions about it as early as the start of India’s home season in September, and the topic dominated discussions during the November wrap-up press conference, where the focus shifted to recovering from the disappointment of a home series whitewash by aiming to “do something special” in Australia. Pat Cummins, too, has been navigating a similar narrative.
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Australia vs India 1st Test: Preview
It was fascinating to observe the responses to India’s 3-0 defeat against New Zealand in Australia. While the outcome was largely met with joy and amusement in these parts, thoughts quickly shifted to how it might influence the same Indian team’s performance once they arrived here. Suddenly, the whitewash didn’t seem so amusing anymore.
Just weeks before the Black Caps completed their clean sweep in Mumbai, the narrative around Rohit Sharma’s team in Australia was markedly different. Some viewed them as an unbeatable force, while others considered them the team to overcome, with questions about whether Pat Cummins’ side could end a decade-long drought against India.
At the time, Australia’s team still faced uncertainties, such as the identity of their new Test opener, the timeline for Cameron Green’s recovery, and whether David Warner was genuinely serious about a Test comeback.
India’s strength was so highly regarded in Australia that even after losing the opening Test to the Kiwis in Bengaluru, their spirited second-innings effort, led by Sarfaraz Khan, was lauded as a testament to their threat level.
However, perspectives shifted dramatically after the comprehensive defeat. Now, as the extended lead-up to the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy transitions into the first Test, earlier concerns about Australia’s ability to handle India have been replaced by doubts over whether this Indian team can hold its own against an Australian side eager to reclaim its dominance.
Indian cricket finds itself at a fascinating crossroads, with an impending transition appearing inevitable. The last two Test tours to Australia have been nothing short of landmark moments. The 2018-19 series saw India end their drought by securing a historic first-ever win Down Under, followed by the remarkable 2020-21 series, where the depth of Indian cricket shone through as they clinched a dramatic and unexpected victory. This time, however, there’s a sense of apprehension—a feeling that this series might mark the end of a golden era for India against their fiercest rivals, as well as for a few legendary cricketers.
Some of the finest Test cricket in recent memory has unfolded when these two teams have clashed, so it’s no surprise they’re constantly fielding questions about it. With the first Test just a day away, most of those questions now seem resolved. Australia have their new opening batter, with Nathan McSweeney making a late push for the role. India, meanwhile, have KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana ready to step in if needed. Now, it’s just a matter of letting the experience take center stage.
On Thursday evening, the empty Perth stadium set the stage for the final morning-of-day-one drills. Staff members stood in for the Indian and Australian captains to ensure everything looked perfect on screen. It was easy to imagine the moment when it all becomes real—just one sleep away. One sleep away from Jasprit Bumrah steaming in. One sleep away from Steven Smith reclaiming his spot at No. 4. One sleep away from Virat Kohli electrifying the crowd. One sleep away from Rishabh Pant’s words echoing across the globe via the stump mics.
The cricket itself promises to be thrilling, but it’s likely to come with a generous dose of external drama. A bit of tension has already surfaced. Ricky Ponting’s comments, taken out of context, sparked a fiery reaction from Gautam Gambhir. India’s decision to train in private raised eyebrows. Josh Hazlewood stirred the pot with a sly remark, expressing relief at Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence from the Indian squad.
No matter what kind of cricket fan you are, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to deliver something for everyone—and the first ball is now just one sleep away.
For Australia, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Despite several players nearing the end of their careers, this series represents a golden opportunity—a possible final shot for many to lift the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Over the next six weeks, it’s more than just national pride on the line. It’s about building a legacy. It’s about shaping history.
Australia vs India 1st Test: Recent Form
Australia: WWLWW (last five matches, most recent first)
India: LLLWW
Australia vs India: Head-to-head
- Matches Played – 107
- Matches Won by Australia – 45
- Matches Won by India – 32
- Matches Lost by Australia – 32
- Matches Lost by India – 45
- Matches Drawn – 29
- Matches Tied – 1
Australia vs India 1st Test: Weather Report & Pitch Conditions
Perth has taken on a Melbourne-like vibe in recent days, with overcast skies and sporadic showers disrupting the lead-up to the opening Test. Australia even had an entire practice session washed out three days before the match. While the sun made more frequent appearances on Thursday, the persistent cloud cover throughout the week has been less than ideal. Curator Isaac McDonald has expressed confidence in his “spicy” pitch holding up during the contest, but the lack of sustained sunlight has been a concern. This could result in a slightly tacky surface at the start, with the potential for divots forming as the match progresses, leading to uneven bounce earlier than expected.
Unseasonal rain two days ago also hindered the ground staff’s efforts to prepare the pitch. However, the subsequent sunshine has helped harden the surface, bringing it closer to ideal conditions. McDonald and his team have been aiming for a balance that offers excellent pace, bounce, and carry while striking a “happy medium between bat and ball.”
Australia vs India 1st Test: Team News and Predicted XI
Australia – Team News
Amid all the buzz surrounding Australia’s search for a new opener, the remarkable stability of the rest of their lineup stands out. With Steve Smith returning to his familiar No. 4 spot after four Tests, the only significant change is Nathan McSweeney making his Test debut. This summer will also highlight the experience of the Australian squad, as most of the core players are now over 30, with McSweeney the lone member in his 20s, underscoring both the team’s maturity and consistency.
Australia appear as settled as ever, placing their faith in McSweeney, whose composed demeanor has earned him the fitting nickname “Buddha.”
Australia – Predicted XI
- Usman Khawaja
- Nathan McSweeney
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Mitchell Starc
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
India – Team News
India, missing their full-time captain and navigating a minor personnel crisis, will head into Perth relying on several fringe players. Youngsters Padikkal (24), Jurel (23), Reddy (21), and Rana (22) are all contenders for a spot in the XI. With room for potentially only one spin bowler, R Ashwin appears likely to edge out Ravindra Jadeja for the role.
However, it’s worth recalling the last time India faced a personnel crisis in Australia—they delivered something truly memorable.
Jasprit Bumrah, almost amused, shared with the media that the team management had finalized their combination a day before the Test—without, of course, revealing it. Observations from practice sessions strongly suggest R Ashwin will feature in his 11th Test in Australia, marking his fifth tour Down Under. This also opens up the exciting possibility of Nitish Kumar Reddy making his debut as an all-rounder, despite being largely untested at higher levels.
India’s pace attack presents another fascinating scenario, with Prasidh Krishna expected to play. Yet, Harshit Rana remains in contention, adding to the intrigue surrounding the final lineup.
India – Predicted XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant
- Dhruv Jurel
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna
- Mohammed Siraj/Akash Deep
- Jasprit Bumrah (c)
Australia vs India 1st Test: Players Under the Spotlight
Australia – Mitchell Starc
It’s been over eight months since Australia last played Test cricket, and Mitchell Starc appears to have used that time to get into the best shape of his career. At 34, he looks like a six-foot-tall fortress and is still delivering deliveries that transform the red ball into a blur. While there’s acknowledgment that in a grueling five-Test series, the “big three” Australian quicks will require careful workload management, the timing and conditions seem perfectly aligned for Starc to make an early impact.
The series begins at Perth Stadium, where Starc boasts a remarkable average of 19, before moving to Adelaide for a pink-ball Test, a format in which he averages an impressive 18.72. If Starc and his fellow pacers exploit these conditions effectively, they might set up the series so dominantly that their planned rest becomes a luxury rather than a necessity.
India – KL Rahul
KL Rahul just can’t seem to escape this cycle. He started his career as an opening batter but made his debut in the middle order. After eventually getting a chance to open, his tendency to lose his stumps too frequently forced a shift back into the middle order. This seemed to signal a move towards a future in the middle, especially in white-ball cricket.
An 86 against England at No. 4 in January 2024 reinforced that idea, but since then his form has dipped, leading to a loss of his place in the side. Now, he finds himself back opening the batting in challenging conditions, facing one of the world’s top bowling attacks.
Australia vs India 1st Test: Match Prediction
India are facing difficulties in finalizing their first-choice playing XI for the opening Test, which works to Australia’s advantage. Given the uncertainty surrounding India’s lineup, we predict the hosts will emerge victorious in the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
When and Where to Watch the Australia vs India 1st Test LIVE? Live Telecast and Streaming Details
The first Test match between Australia and India will be held from Friday, November 22-26, with Day 1 starting at 7:50 AM IST. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network, and you can also stream it live on the Disney+ Hotstar website and app.
FAQs
When does the first Test between Australia and India take place?
The first Test will be held from November 22-26, with Day 1 starting at 7:50 AM IST.
Where can I watch the first Test between Australia and India?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network, and it can be streamed on the Hotstar website and app.
What time does the first BGT Test start?
The first day of the Test will begin at 7:50 AM IST.
Which venue will host the first Test between Australia and India?
The first Test will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth.
