Steve Waugh’s all-conquering team stopped at the ‘Last Frontier’ in India. And Ajid’s current captain Pat Cummins termed the Test series on Indian soil an era-defining series. The series between top-ranked Australia and second-ranked India is heating up as always. David Warner and Steve Smith have said that a Test series win against India on their soil is a bigger achievement than a Tests win.

India’s spin attack is the challenge for Australia to make that achievement the crown jewel. India is fielding with three spinners on the spin-friendly wicket of Nagpur. Left-arm spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel will be partnering with Ravichandran Ashwin. Middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav and wicketkeeper-batsman Srikar will debut in the Indian jersey in the first Test.

Suryakumar, one of the most talked about batsmen in recent cricket, has made it into the Test team by showing excellent performances in the two shorter versions of cricket. Still, this series against Ajid is an acid test for him. Shubman Gill, who is in great form, was not included in the eleven to replace him. So the challenge is bigger for him. Australia also gave a big surprise while arranging the team for the first test. According to the pitch report, the challenge for the left-handed batsmen is a bit more on this wicket. Left-handers need to be extra careful playing good length balls off the stump.

So left-handed inform batter Travis Head has been replaced by right-handed Peter Handscomb. Australia reduced a left-handed batsman against India’s spin-based attack. Like India, Australia also has new faces in the XI. Right-handed off-break bowler Todd Murphy got the baggy green in this match. Against India’s bowling attack of two pacers and three spinners, Australia is going with two standards and two spinners. Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuchen, Steve Smith, Matt Renesh, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Scott Boland.

India XI: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Srikar Bharat (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammad Siraj.