Team India is about to compete with Australia in a four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with the chance of making it to the World Test Championship (2021-23) final up for grabs. The initial Test will occur at the VCA Stadium in Vidharbha, Nagpur, on Thursday (February 9).
Until now, the Indian cricket team has had six Test matches at the Nagpur stadium, winning four, losing one, and having a draw with England in 2012. This spot is anticipated to produce difficult terrain for the batters, being a spin-friendly stadium in the middle of India, and is likely to generate spin bowling. However, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara both achieved a hundred runs the last time India participated in a Test in Nagpur.
Braving the fourth innings on this pitch requires a lot of guts and composure since the ball turns a lot as the surface is worn. Being the winning team, the captains are expected to choose to bat first as no one wants to be the last to bat on this ground.
Back in November of 2017, India had a Test match in Nagpur, played in the VCA Stadium, which was the second game of a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. India emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline. Sri Lanka was all out for 205 runs in their first innings, with Ishant Sharma taking three wickets and Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined taking seven wickets.
The excitement for the long-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy is palpable; India and Australia have a storied rivalry, delivering memorable matches in the past. The two teams have faced each other in 27 Test series since the inaugural Test match in 1947, with Australia having a slight advantage of 12 series wins, India winning 10, and five ending in draws. India has been especially dominant in recent years, winning six of the previous eight series against the Aussies. The home team is looking to maintain their supremacy this time as well.
Despite the formidable Indian team, the current Australian squad could potentially pull off an upset with their powerful batting and bowling line-up. Sharma and his team should be alert if they want to take the trophy and qualify for the World Test Championship finals. India is the favourite due to their amazing home record, but it has been quite some time since the Aussies have managed to win a Test series in India, which was in 2004-05.
