The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024 kicks off with the 1st Test between India and Australia at the iconic Optus Stadium in Perth. The 2024 edition of the BGT is especially significant as both teams aim to solidify their supremacy in the longest format.
India, under the leadership of a seasoned skipper, will look to reclaim the trophy, while Australia, playing at home, aims to maintain its dominance.
Optus Stadium is known for its fast and bouncy pitch, perfect for pace bowlers. The pitch traditionally offers good carry and bounce, favouring seamers, especially in the initial days of the Test.
However, as the match progresses, the surface tends to flatten out, providing opportunities for batters to score big once they are set. Spinners might come into play later in the match as the pitch deteriorates, adding an exciting tactical layer to the game.
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India vs Australia 1st Test: India Match Time And Expected Playing 11
The first Test match between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to take place from November 22 to 26, 2024, at Optus Stadium in Perth. The match will commence at 7:50 AM IST (7:20 AM IST for the toss) on November 22.
Expected Playing XI for India
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is expected to join the team later, Jasprit Bumrah will captain India. The likely playing XI includes:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Dhruv Jurel
- Nitish Reddy
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Akash Deep
- Jasprit Bumrah (Captain)
- Mohammed Siraj
Debuts are anticipated for Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Reddy, and possibly Harshit Rana.
Expected Playing XI for Australia
Australia's lineup is expected to feature:
- Usman Khawaja
- Nathan McSweeney
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steven Smith
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh
- Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper)
- Pat Cummins (Captain)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Josh Hazlewood
Nathan McSweeney is also likely to make his debut in this match.
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India vs Australia 1st Test: Pitch Report
The first Test match between India and Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth is expected to feature a fast and bouncy pitch, characteristic of the venue. The pitch curator, Isaac McDonald, has indicated that the surface will assist fast bowlers, particularly in the initial days of the match. Key points regarding the pitch include:
- Pace and Bounce: The pitch is known for its pace and bounce, making it one of the fastest in the world. Historically, it has favoured seam bowlers with significant movement available early on.
- Grass Cover: There will be some grass left on the pitch to help maintain its integrity throughout the match. This should prevent excessive cracking, which can lead to variable bounce later in the game.
- Batting Conditions: While it is bowler-friendly, batsmen can score runs if they apply themselves correctly. The average score for teams batting first at this venue is around 457 runs, indicating that there are scoring opportunities.
India vs Australia 1st Test: Weather Forecast for November 22
The weather conditions for the opening day of the Test are expected to be conducive to fast bowling, with some rain likely in the morning:
- Rain Probability: There is a 25% chance of rain on the first day, which may affect the toss and early play.
- Post-Day 1 Conditions: After the initial day, rain is not expected to significantly disrupt play, with only minimal cloud cover anticipated.
What are the key strengths of the Australian team in their home conditions?
The Australian cricket team possesses several key strengths when playing in their home conditions, making them a formidable opponent.
One of their primary advantages is their world-class bowling attack, which includes renowned fast bowlers such as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
This trio excels in exploiting the pace and bounce typically found on Australian pitches, allowing them to consistently challenge opposing batsmen.
Additionally, Nathan Lyon, one of the most successful spinners against India, adds depth to their bowling lineup, particularly on surfaces that may assist spin later in the match.
Australia's historical performance at home further underscores their dominance; they have won approximately 78.3% of their Test series over the last 20 years, showcasing their ability to capitalise on familiar conditions.
The combination of their experienced players, who understand the nuances of playing at home, along with a strong support system and strategic game plans tailored to local pitches, enhances their competitiveness.
Furthermore, the psychological edge gained from a robust home record instills confidence in the players, making it challenging for visiting teams like India to secure victories on Australian soil.
For Indian Cricket Team
In contrast, while India has demonstrated resilience and success in Australia in recent years, they face significant challenges in this series.
The absence of key players such as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill due to personal commitments and injury leaves a gap at the top of the order, forcing a reshuffle that could disrupt their batting stability.
Additionally, India’s reliance on Jasprit Bumrah as the spearhead of their bowling attack becomes a double-edged sword; without Mohammed Shami, the burden on Bumrah increases significantly.
Historically, India's fast bowling has been inconsistent overseas, which could be exploited by Australia’s potent batting lineup. Furthermore, India's tendency to depend heavily on individual brilliance can become problematic if their star players fail to deliver under pressure.
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India vs. Australia 1st Test Day: Border Gavaskar Trophy Match Highlights![]()
On Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Perth's Optus Stadium, the day's highlights showcased a dramatic shift in momentum, primarily driven by stellar performances from both teams.
Match Highlights
- India's Batting Struggles: After winning the toss, India opted to bat first but faced severe challenges against Australia's pace attack. The Indian batting lineup crumbled, with notable failures from key players. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed cheaply, and Virat Kohli managed only five runs before falling to Josh Hazlewood. India was reduced to a precarious 73/6 at one point.
- Key Contributions: A seventh-wicket partnership between Rishabh Pant (37 runs) and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 runs) provided some resistance, helping India reach a total of 150 runs before being bowled out. Hazlewood was particularly effective, claiming four wickets for 29 runs.
- Australia's Response: In reply, Australia struggled significantly against India's bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma, made an immediate impact by taking four wickets for just 17 runs. He dismissed key batsmen including Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, and Steve Smith (golden duck) in a devastating spell.
- End of Day Summary: At stumps, Australia found themselves in dire straits at 67/7, trailing India by 83 runs. Alex Carey (19 not out) and Mitchell Starc remained at the crease as the day concluded.
Best Moments
- Jasprit Bumrah's Bowling: Bumrah's exceptional performance was the standout feature of Day 1. His ability to dismantle the Australian batting lineup showcased his skill and leadership under pressure.
- Rishabh Pant's Six: Despite India's struggles with the bat, Pant hit an extraordinary six off Pat Cummins that briefly lifted the spirits of the Indian side and fans alike. This moment highlighted his aggressive batting style even in challenging conditions.
How did Jasprit Bumrah manage to dismiss so many Australian batsmen in his first spell?
Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in his first spell during the Day 1 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium was marked by his skillful bowling and strategic execution. Here’s how he managed to dismiss multiple Australian batsmen:
Key Factors in Bumrah's Success
- Aggressive Bowling Strategy: Bumrah opened his spell with a clear intent to attack the Australian batsmen. He utilized a combination of pace and swing, which kept the batsmen on the back foot. His approach was aggressive, aiming to exploit any weaknesses in their technique.
- Movement Off the Pitch: The pitch at Perth offered assistance to fast bowlers, and Bumrah capitalized on this by delivering balls that moved both in and out. His ability to make the ball swing late added to the difficulty for the batsmen, particularly for those like Nathan McSweeney, who was dismissed LBW after failing to adjust to a sharp nip-backer that moved significantly.
Key Dismissals:
- Nathan McSweeney: Bumrah struck first by getting McSweeney out LBW with a delivery that swung back sharply, catching him in front of the stumps after a successful DRS review.
- Usman Khawaja: In his next over, Bumrah dismissed Khawaja with a delivery that angled in before moving away, resulting in an outside edge caught by Virat Kohli at slip.
- Steve Smith: Bumrah then bowled a vicious inswinger that crashed into Smith’s pads as he attempted to play across his stumps, leading to a golden duck and leaving Australia reeling at 19/3.
- Psychological Pressure: Bumrah’s reputation as one of the world’s best bowlers added psychological pressure on the Australian batsmen. His ability to consistently bowl in dangerous areas made them tentative, leading to mistakes.
- Support from Teammates: Following his initial breakthroughs, other bowlers like Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj also contributed significantly, maintaining pressure on the Australian lineup and ensuring that Bumrah's early success translated into further wickets for India.
Overall, Day 1 of this Test match was marked by India’s batting woes juxtaposed with a remarkable bowling display that kept them in contention despite their low score.
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