One of cricket’s most intense rivalries resumes when Australia meet India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth this week.
The world’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams will meet in five Tests between now and early January, the first series of such length between the nations in more than three decades.
India currently hold the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – named after former captains Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar – having won each of the last four editions. That run includes famous back-to-back wins Down Under: the first in 2018/19, then an epic fightback with a depleted team four years ago.
However, Rohit Sharma’s side have just been humiliated 3-0 by New Zealand – their first Test series defeat at home in over a decade – and now meet an Australian side who beat them to the both in the World Test Championship and in the 50-over World Cup final. last year.
Date, start time and location in the UK
The first Test of this Australia vs India series is scheduled to begin at 02:20 GMT on Friday, November 22, 2024.
The match will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Where to watch Australia vs India
TV channel: The match will be televised TNT Sports 1.
Live broadcast: TNT Sports subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the website or the Discovery+ app.
Australia vs India: Complete Border-Gavaskar Trophy schedule
First Test – November 22-26, Perth
Second Test – December 6-10, Adelaide
Third Test – December 14-18, Brisbane
Fourth Test – December 25-30, Melbourne
Fifth Test – January 2-7, Sydney
Australia vs India Team News
Australia are without all-rounder Cameron Green, who has been ruled out for the entire series with a back injury. As a result, Steve Smith will return to his preferred role at number 4, having moved up the opening batting order last winter following the retirement of David Warner.
Instead, 25-year-old Nathan McSweeney is set to make his Test debut as Usman Khawaja’s partner, having beaten off competition from Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas.
Australian team: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
India will be without captain Rohit Sharma for the series opener following the birth of his second child, with the batter expected to be available for the second Test in Adelaide next month.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in his absence, while KL Rahul is in contention to open the match, but there is no Mohamed Shami, who only made his return after almost a year of absence, injured during the Indian National Ranji Trophy last week.
The tourists are expected to delay naming their team until the first morning of the match to give number 3 Shubman Gill every chance of being fit after suffering a thumb injury in training.
Team India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna , Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed
Australia vs India Prediction
Australia triumphed by eight wickets in the series-opening Test four years ago, with India famously scoring 36 runs in their second innings.
Although things are not expected to be as dramatic this time around, the hosts appear to be betting big on getting off to a good start with India still reeling from the New Zealand defeat.
Australia wins.
Australia vs India match odds
Australia wins: 4/11
Draw: 14/1
India wins: 5/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).