IND vs AUS BGT Prediction 09 Feb 2023

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to kick off on Feb 9th. India and Australia will meet for the 1st Test, which is scheduled to take place in Nagpur. Since whoever wins the first test will be favourites for the series, both teams will be desperate for a good start.

• This series also might also decide the two teams in the World Test Championship final. Australia has all but qualified, while it is more crucial for India to take the series to qualify for the final.
• India has been the winner of the last three Border-Gavaskar trophies, with Australia not winning it for 9 years.
• The last time these two sides met in a test match was in 2021, which was the historic Gabba test where India triumphed to take that series 2-1.

IND vs AUS – BGT – Venue Details

Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

Date: 9th February 2023

Time: 09:30 (IST)

IND vs AUS – BGT – Team Previews

​

India

The last time the odds favoured the visiting side going into a test series against India on the subcontinent certainly wasn’t in this millennium. It might be surprising to say, but India are going into this series with more questions than answers regarding their side.

There is no doubt in the fact that the art of facing spin bowling, especially in the subcontinent, has diminished over the years. The same is true even for Indian batsmen, widely regarded as the best players of spin in the world.

Even stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have looked unassured against quality spin in recent times and in this series, they will have to contend with one of the best off-spinners in the world in Nathan Lyon. The loss of two of India’s best batsmen against spin in the last two years is a huge big blow for the side.

But from a bowling perspective, India are as strong as ever, with the likes of Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar in their ranks. depending upon the pitch, the management has to make a decision on whether to pick all three or leave out Axar.

Australia

The last time Australia visited India, they stretched India to the limit in one of the greatest series ever played this century, eventually losing 2-1. This time, the Aussies arrive with an even more accomplished side, probably at the peak of their powers.

The question, though, as ever, is how well their batsmen can handle the Indian spinners on the turning tracks. They have Steve Smith, arguably the best test batsman of this generation, Marnus Labuschagne, who is the No.1 ranked Test batsman, and Usman Khawaja, who has vastly improved his game against spin.

The form of Warner and Head in subcontinental conditions is a concern. The pressure on Nathan Lyon as the lead spinner will be unprecedented, particularly with the lack of a solid N0.2. Swepson has looked ordinary in his outings so far, while Todd Murphy is an unknown quantity.

IND vs AUS – BGT – Probable playing XI

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson

IND vs AUS – BGT – Toss Prediction and Pitch report

The pitch at Nagpur was once rated below par for producing excessive turn and it will be interesting to see what kind of surface is offered. The pitch wore a dry look two days out from the test match. However the pitch turns out to be, batting first is a no-brainer for both teams. Both teams would want to bat first and put up a good total on the board.

IND vs AUS – BGT – Match Prediction

At this stage, it is looking like even-stevens. India has the home advantage and a far superior spin bowling attack, while Australia has form on their side. The toss will play a huge role in who wins the game. We predict an Indian win but expect it to be a very close contest.