Border Gavaskar Trophy: Predicted India playing XI for the IND vs AUS 1st Test

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has finally arrived and India will play the opening Test against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium. The Indian team will have to lift their spirits after a demoralizing series loss to New Zealand, which ended Men in Blue's 12-year unbeaten streak at home.

Key India challenges and changes in the lineup

The Indian side will go into this BGT series after a heavy defeat at home to New Zealand, though they will look to rectify matters in Australia. India have successfully had a Test series against Australia fairly recently, winning during the 2018/19 season and having done so again for 2020/21.

With several main players absent or injured, India will have to make a few tactical changes to their XI. The team will have to adjust since two of India's veterans, including captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill, will miss the tie.

Sharma is likely to miss the first Test after the birth of his child, and Gill was ruled out of the game after injuring his finger while fielding in the practice matches. This absence could well alter India's top order hugely and the team is likely to hand a debut to young Devdutt Padikkal in the absence of regular players.

India Predicted Playing XI:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

Since the past few months have seen impressive performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal in both domestic cricket and international outings, the aggressive yet calculated batting style is expected to help India counter the Australian pacers on the bouncy Perth wicket. More than likely, he will be the mainstay in opening with the task of giving a good start.

2. Devdutt Padikkal 

Devdutt Padikkal wasn't initially part of the squad announced for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, earlier. However, the injury to Shubman Gill tempted the Indian team management to let Padikkal stay back in Australia, who was part of India A squad for the unofficial Test series against Australia A. 

Padikkal made great returns against Australia in the first unoffocial Test. Batting at number four, he scored 124 runs across two innings. The southpaw showed his mettle against Indian quicks in the recent practice session and he looks primed to open alongside Jaiswal in the Perth Test. 

3. KL Rahul

Initially expected to open, KL Rahul might slide to the pivotal number three spot to lend stability to the batting lineup. He is a key player in place of established openers as he is an adaptable and experienced player in overseas conditions. Rahul would be playing to anchor the innings and silence a potent Australia pace attack.

4. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is still India's batting mainstay. He has seen massive popularity after his glorious outings in Australia, though even without the captaincy mantle, he will still lead from the front. It would be important for him to handle pressure well while dominating the bowling arsenal of the opposition as he shapes Indian fortunes here.

5. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant's fearlessness and appetite for a game-changing knock makes him the imperative option for the playing XI. His batting contributions combined with his improved wicket-keeping skills will be significant, especially in a series like BGT.

6. Dhruv Jurel

Dhruv Jurel has put in a case for himself with excellent knocks in India A matches. He is a middle-order batsman who can contribute with both bat and ball. Jurel's inclusion might come at the cost of Sarfaraz Khan, whose recent form and lack of experience in Australian conditions might work against him.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja's inclusion brings a lot of experience and three-dimensional skills. Though the Perth conditions do not suit spin bowling, Jadeja has the skills of pulling it out from the end as a batsman and his sharp fielding makes him precious. If India go for only one spinner, then Jadeja's overall impression should give him a slight edge over Ravichandran Ashwin.

8. Nitish Kumar Reddy 

Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to get his Test debut, thus leapfrogging Harshit Rana to play the role of pace-bowling all-rounder. His experience of extracting bounce and swing in Australian conditions coupled with batting talent gives India a balanced option.

9. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will be the one to lead India in the absence of Rohit, and his contribution in front of the ball will be as important as his leadership. Bumrah can really show his stuff with the ball in pressure situations, bowl yorkers, and extract reverse swing to help curb the Australian batting arsenal.

10. Mohammed Siraj

The fast bowling of Mohammed Siraj has asserted itself as the go-to man to bowl with aggression in all formats. With aggression and consistency already noted, Siraj will look to capitalize on the pace and bounce available at the Optus Stadium. His ability to get movement and unsettle the batsman makes him a pivotal player in India's bowling attack.

11. Akash Deep

With Mohammed Shami ruled out, Akash Deep should be the one to complete the pace trio, as he has been along with the team for the last couple of series and bowled some disciplined spells. The Indian pacer is yet to play a Test in Australia and it remains to be seen how he fares on the pacy track at Perth.