The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins with the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium, a venue where Australia remains unbeaten, including a memorable victory against India in 2018. Both teams face unique challenges ahead of the five-match series, with India grappling with key absences and Australia looking to maintain their dominance at home.

India will miss the services of captain Rohit Sharma, who is absent following the birth of his second child, and opener Shubman Gill, sidelined with a fractured thumb sustained during a simulation game at the WACA. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in Rohit’s absence, and the skipper has confirmed that the final playing XI will only be revealed at the toss. However, the opening combination and the replacement for Gill at No. 3 remain critical talking points.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to open the innings, but who partners him remains uncertain. KL Rahul appears the preferred choice due to his experience and backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir, despite inconsistent performances for India A. Abhimanyu Easwaran, another contender, is expected to wait for his opportunity following a modest outing in the unofficial Tests. Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Devdutt Padikkal is poised to step in at No. 3, staying back in Australia as cover after a mixed run during the ‘A’ tour.

There is a possibility of Dhruv Jurel playing as a specialist batter, following his impressive outing in the second unofficial Test against Australia A, where he smashed half-centuries in both innings.

India could also see fresh faces in the lineup. Seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is tipped for a debut, offering balance in both departments. The 21-year-old has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket and adds depth to the lower middle order. Among the pacers, Akash Deep is expected to share the new ball with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, while Harshit Rana might need to bide his time.

As India aim to bounce back from a disappointing 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, the Perth Test presents a fresh start. A victory here would not only boost their chances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also keep their World Test Championship final hopes alive. With a spicy pitch awaiting, both teams are gearing up for a fiery contest.

India likely XI vs Australia

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Akash Deep, Mohammed S

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