India vs Australia, 4th Test: Toss result and playing 11s, umpires list and pitch report
India will take on Australia in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, starting Thursday, March 9.
While Australia have booked their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will be played at The Oval in June, India must win in Ahmedabad to confirm their qualification. The hosts can qualify even if they go down to the Aussies, but for that Sri Lanka will have to lose 0-2 to New Zealand.
Team India’s batting will be in focus in the fourth Test. While bowlers from both sides have dominated, the hosts were expected to do better than how they have fared so far in the batting department. Even in the two Tests that they won, the bowlers and the lower order did the bulk of the work. The openers, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will need to fire.
On the bowling front, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin excelled in the first two Tests, but the lack of runs did not allow them to make an impact in the second innings in Indore. Steve Smith-led Australia will be confident after their unexpected win in Indore and the Indian spinners might have to work harder in Ahmedabad.
IND vs AUS 4th Test toss result
Australia have won the toss and opted to bat first. Speaking about the decision, Steve Smith said:
"It looks like a nice wicket and good surface (overall) compared to the other games."
Steve Smith won the toss and Australia have decided to bat first 🔥
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Australia are playing with the same team that won in Indore. India have made one change. Mohammed Shami returns for Mohammed Siraj.
IND vs AUS 4th Test - Match playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav.
Australia: Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (w), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon.
IND vs AUS 4th Test pitch report
According to Murali Kartik, the pitch looks well-rolled. There’s an even sprinkling of grass. There are a few dry patches, slightly damp because it’s very early in the morning. Matthew Hayden reckons that the surface is better than other venues. The five-meter zone has got quite a lot of dryness and not much grass. He senses it is going to break up. There could be plenty of wickets for spinners and some help for pacers early on due to the dampness.
IND vs AUS 4th Test match players list
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Srikar Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav.
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and The Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese have arrived at the stadium!
@narendramodi | @PMOIndia | @AlboMP | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia https://t.co/5bijT2ENJ5
Australia squad: Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann, Scott Boland, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Lance Morris.
IND vs AUS - 4th Test match umpires
On-field umpires: Nitin Menon, Richard Kettleborough
TV umpire: Joel Wilson
Match Referee: Chris Broad