India vs Australia Match Prediction: Who will win the 1st BGT 2024-25 Test?
Only one sleep stands between fans of Test cricket and the much acclaimed Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The lead-up to the high-octane Test series has been nothing short of gripping, with plenty of words already exchanged in the media by the two teams.
Josh Hazlewood mentioned that Australia are glad Cheteshwar Pujara isn't in the mix. Jasprit Bumrah didn't give much away when asked about the composition of the playing XI at the press conference ahead of the first Test. India have also been coy regarding their training sessions, attempting to put up walls that blocked prying eyes.
But all of that will mean little when India and Australia walk out to the middle of the vast Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 22. Only cricket will do the talking, with the visitors looking to secure an unprecedented third successive Test series triumph Down Under and the hosts attempting to reclaim their lost fortress.
The last Test between India and Australia is one that the former won't want to relive. In the final of the second cycle of the World Test Championship, the Kangaroos turned in a clinical display to add another feather to their ICC cap. And strangely enough, the two-time finalists and zero-time champions may not even be able to make the summit clash this time around.
Why? Well, India are coming into this on the back of a humbling 3-0 whitewash at home, which broke a plethora of unwanted records. Pressure is entirely on Rohit Sharma, although the skipper will miss the first Test due to personal reasons.
The Aussies, meanwhile, appear relatively in better shape. Nathan McSweeney has emerged as a surprise candidate to open the batting, and Cameron Green's absence won't make the home side too happy. Nevertheless, most of their playing XI is set, with Steve Smith returning to his favored middle-order spot.
Can India pull off the unthinkable and start the series on a winning note? Or will Australia make it four consecutive losses in the Test format?
IND vs AUS, BGT 2024-25, 1st Test: Jasprit Bumrah and Co. up against it in Perth
On the whole, it's hard to see how India will compete with Australia in Perth. The venue is generally a bat-first pitch, and winning the toss will help Jasprit Bumrah and Co., but conditions are expected to be slightly overcast on Friday morning. And that could level the playing field.
Australia's bowling attack is set, and they have plenty of pedigree in their batting order. Even the relatively low-profile names, such as McSweeney and Alex Carey, are in excellent form at the moment, having scored heavily in the Sheffield Shield.
India, meanwhile, have more questions than answers and are primed to field an inexperienced playing XI in Perth. While that has worked in their favor before, namely in the historic Gabba Test, they'd rather not be in such a situation.
Australia are the clear favorites to get off to a winning start, although the spirit of this Indian team should never be questioned.
Prediction: Australia to win the 1st Test vs India.