Perth: India is set to face a daunting task in the upcoming Test series against Australia beginning Friday, following a crushing 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand.
With their World Test Championship (WTC) aspirations hanging in the balance, the Indian team must secure a 4-0 series sweep to keep alive their hopes of a third consecutive WTC final appearance.
The home series loss to New Zealand has raised alarm bells within Indian cricket, exposing weaknesses that opponents will look to exploit. However, the team’s history of bouncing back under pressure offers a glimmer of hope.
In their last overseas challenge, a depleted Indian side emerged victorious, with Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara playing pivotal roles. This time, however, Pujara has been left out, a decision that even drew a nod of recognition from Australia’s Josh Hazlewood for the veteran’s past contributions.
Compounding India's troubles is the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami, leaving a leadership and experience vacuum. This series will serve as a critical test for veterans Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are at pivotal stages of their careers.
Despite the setbacks, India's bowling attack remains a formidable weapon. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the pace department, will have ample support from Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna.
The fast and bouncy Optus Stadium pitch in Perth is expected to play to their strengths, challenging an Australian batting lineup that has struggled for consistency.
Australia’s batting unit, once considered its backbone, appears vulnerable. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been battling prolonged slumps, while Travis Head’s Test performances have failed to replicate his white-ball success. His average of 28 in this WTC cycle is a cause for concern.
Usman Khawaja, however, stands out as a reliable performer, offering stability in an otherwise faltering lineup. Lower-order contributions from Alex Carey and Pat Cummins remain inconsistent, adding to Australia’s woes.
India’s team composition might see a tug-of-war between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the spinner’s slot, with Jadeja’s superior batting offering him an edge.
The batting department poses questions as well. Young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel are poised to showcase their mettle in unfamiliar conditions. While their limited Test experience raises concerns, they will be backed by experienced campaigners like KL Rahul and the ever-spirited Rishabh Pant.
For India, the series represents a fine balance between redemption and renewal. If the young guns deliver and the bowlers exploit Australia’s batting vulnerabilities, India could not only erase the scars of their recent defeat but also secure a path to the WTC final.
Teams
India Probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana
Australia Probable Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood