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Australia vs India First Test Tips - Kangaroos likely to hop on to the victory train

By Sridhar Bhamidi

21 Nov 2024

Sridhar Bhamidi 21 Nov 2024

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Australia vs India First Test match predictions to be played in Perth from Friday, November 22
Australia won all 4 Tests they played at this venue
India lost their last 3 Tests

Can Pat Cummins and co. start the series with a win? (Getty Images)

Australia vs India First Test

It’s the start of one of the most expected Test series of recent times as Australia hosts India in a five-match series. Traditionally, it’s the Gabba that hosts the first match of the Australian summer, but this series will start at the Optus Stadium in Perth from Friday, starting at 7:50 a.m.

Australia vs India First Test
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Team News
India Form
India Team News
Australia vs India First Test FAQs

The excitement building up to this series is surreal, and Australia will hope they can start the series on a high. The last two home series weren’t up to the standards they set themselves, but this time the hosts are going to start this match as hot favorites. I am backing Australia to start with a win at a ground they have never lost a Test.

Australia won 6 of their last 7 matches (Tests)
Australia won 9 of their last 11 home matches (Tests)
Australia won all 4 matches they played at this venue (Tests)
India lost their last 3 matches (Tests)
India lost 3 of 4 matches they played in the city of Perth (Tests)

Head to Head

There were 107 Tests between Australia and India so far, with the Aussies winning 45, the Men in Blue winning 32, and 29 ending in draws. There was also a tie between these two modern rivals.

The last time these sides played was at the Oval for the World Test Championship final, which Australia won by 209 runs. They have won two and drawn one of the last three matches against India.

Australia Form

Australia is top of the WTC table with 62.50% and have seven matches remaining in this cycle. They need to win at least four matches to book their spot in the final.

The last time Australia played this format was in February–March this year, where they won both the Tests. Even at home, they won four of the last five Tests they played, although the last series ended in a 1-1 draw against the West Indies.

The hosts have already made a few strategic changes, as Steve Smith goes back to middle-order and they have brought in rookie Nathan McSweeney as an opener.

Australia Team News

The Aussies named their 13 with Scott Boland and Josh Inglis as the reserve players. Unless something happens between now and the toss, those two are likely to sit out.

India Form

India is second in the WTC standings with 58.33 percentage points. They need to win at least three matches in this series to be sure of their final spot.

The visitors are coming off a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand, a rarity for the Men in Blue. That said, they have enjoyed touring Australia against the odds, having won the last two series Down Under with under-strength teams.

Regular captain Rohit Sharma will be out of the first Test, while India will also have to make up for the absence of any practice matches before this Test.

India Team News

It’s likely that Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel play for India as batters, while the bowling composition could depend on playing Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja. There could be a potential debut for all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Australia vs India First Test FAQs

Where can I watch the Australia vs India First Test live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Australia vs India First Test live stream.

What time does Australia vs India First Test start?

This Australia vs India First Test match is being played at the Optus Stadium in Perth starting at 7:30 a.m. IST on Friday, November 22.

Verdict

Australia v India 1st Test

India have traveled well to Australia in recent times, but this match could be tough, especially considering they haven’t had even a single practice match. Back Australia to win here, while a side pick could be backing Rishabh Pant to be India’s top scorer.