India vs Australia 1st Test preview
Probably the most fierce rivalry in cricket resumes on Thursday as the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) gets underway in Nagpur.
On back of 2 consecutive Test series win in Australia, Team India is brimming with confidence but skipper Rohit Sharma feels that the Aussies are still a challenging team to beat.
India may have won 6 and drawn 1 of their last 7 Tests at home but it's going to be a little different this time around. In the absence of Rishabh Pant, who has been India's game changer over the years and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, The hosts have big shoes to fill.
As for the Aussies, who ended up on the losing side in last 3 BGT series including 2 at home, will be eager to not make it 4 in a row.
However, it's easier said than done. India has lost just 1 of its last 15 Tests at home vs Australia and also has a great track record in Nagpur, having won 6 of its 7 Tests at the VCA Stadium.
Australia, on the other hand, last won a Test series in India way back in 2004. Since then India has crushed the Aussies in 4 Tests series at home.
Pitch report
The BCCI have already instructed the curators at all 4 venues to produce quality tracks to have good Test cricket for 5 days. The Nagpur pitch is likely to assist the batters for the first 2 days but is expected to turn into a rank turned after that.
Also read: IND vs AUS 1st Test: Rohit Sharma opens up on Team India playing XI