Who will win India vs Australia 1st Test?
The four-match test series between India and Australia is ready to kick-off with the first test scheduled to be played between 23-27 February, 2017. Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune will be the setting for this match. Live action will begin at 9:30 AM local time.
Ind vs Aus 1st Test: Where to watch/Live streaming
TV channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3
Live Streaming: Hotstar, Bet365
Toss Prediction
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is all set to host its first ever international test match. Judging by the two ODIs and two T20s that have been played at this ground till date, the pitch seems to be a good one for batting but is likely to deteriorate and offer assistance to the spinners as the match progresses. Since neither team will want to bat last on this surface, the toss-winning skipper will most probably elect to bat first. India haven’t been too lucky with the toss lately as they have lost it three times in their last four tests. So expect Australia to win the toss and bat first.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for India vs Australia 1st Test 2017....
India Team News & Playing 11
Team News
The Indian squad will remain unchanged for the first two test matches. Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra could not find a place in the side as they have not fully recovered from their injuries.
Key Players
Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane are the big wickets that Australia will be wanting early on. Kohli has hit a double-ton in each of his last four test series. He is breaking a few batting records at the moment which is why we predict him to be the top-scorer for India in this match. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will undoubtedly be the key bowlers for the team. Both have an outstanding test record at home and the Australian batters will find these two the most difficult to deal with.
Recent Form
India are going through a fabulous home season with recent series triumphs over South Africa, New Zealand and England. They have not faced a single defeat in their past 19 test matches of which 4 have resulted in a draw. Their most recently played test came against Bangladesh at Hyderabad which they won by 208 runs.
India Predicted Playing 11
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KL Rahul, M Vijay, CA Pujara, V Kohli (c), AM Rahane, WP Saha (wk), R Ashwin, RA Jadeja, B Kumar, UT Yadav, I Sharma.
Australia Team News & Playing 11
Team News
Uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been drafted into the Australian squad who will be joining Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe as specialist spinners. Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have also earned call-ups for this test series.
Key Players
David Warner and Steven Smith are the two batsmen that Australia will be counting on the most. Warner has scored the most runs for the team in test cricket from the current squad and Smith has the most experience of playing at this ground thanks to the IPL. While Mitchell Starc will be the biggest threat in their pace attack, the spin department will rely heavily on their most seasoned campaigner Nathan Lyon. The off-spinner is expected to get good grip off this pitch and so we predict him to take the most wickets for Australia.
Recent Form
Australia had made a fine start to their 2016 season with a drawn game against the West Indies followed by back-to-back wins over the Kiwis in New Zealand. From there onwards, they started going downhill with a 0-3 bashing in Sri Lanka and a 2-1 series loss at home against South Africa. However, Australia have once again returned to their winning ways with wins in their last four test matches.
Australia Predicted Playing 11
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DA Warner, MT Renshaw, SPD Smith (c), SE Marsh, PSP Handscomb, MR Marsh, MS Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, SNJ O'Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, NM Lyon.
Team Form in Last Five Matches (most recent first)
India: W W W W W
Australia: W W W W L
India vs Australia Head to Head in Tests
Australia are way ahead of India as far as head-to-head statistics are concerned. Out of the 90 tests played between the two sides, 40 have been won by the visitors and 24 by the hosts who seem to have a fair bit of catching up to do. 25 of these 90 matches have resulted in draw while 1 has ended in a tie.
India vs Australia 1st Test Betting Odds
Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India have now attained a 19-match unbeaten streak which is the longest sequence they have ever managed to achieve in test cricket without facing a defeat. They are currently the number 1 ranked test team in the world and are rightfully starting off as favorites to win the first test at 1.78 with 1xbet and 1.66 with bet365. Australia were hammered on their last visit to India and this team does not seem to be as strong as the one that toured in 2004/05. 1xbet has the tourists at 5.1 while bet365 has them at 5. A draw is at 4.1 and 3.75 respectively. content
India vs Australia 1st Test Prediction
Australia have not won a test match in India since that historic series win back in 2004 and that team was comprised of some of the best cricketers that Australia has ever produced. This current lot is definitely missing the swagger of some of the previous teams that have toured India in the past, and for many, this is going to be their first test series in India. The hosts have been ruthless in their own den and even drawing a match against them will require a big effort from the Aussies. The Australian batters are going to struggle against the Indian spin attack in these conditions and this is largely why we predict India to win this first test.
Final Verdict: Back India to beat Australia in the first test at 1.78 with 1xbet and 1.66 with bet365.
Feb 23, 2017
09:30 IST / 4:00 GMT
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium - Pune, India
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