The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia starts on Thursday, February 7, in Nagpur, with all eyes on India to see if they can make it to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). Ahead of the blockbuster series, there were doubts about whether Cameron Green will make it to the Playing XI for the first Test. However, earlier reports suggested that he will not be ready for the match, and the news was almost close to being confirmed by Australia vice-captain Steve Smith.
Green, along with another injury victim Mitchell Starc, sustained injuries during the South Africa Test series at home and have been out of action ever since. The all-rounder had broken a finger in Melbourne Test against the Proteas but scored a fifty with the injury. As he works towards getting fit for the upcoming Test series, there are question marks about whether he will be able to bowl.
"Without him bowling it will be difficult to play three spinners, but selectors will decide the best possible XI. He hasn't faced even the fast bowlers so he's very unlikely to play the 1st Test," the star batter told the media during the pre-match press conference in Nagpur on Tuesday, February 7.
Reports suggest that in Green's absence, Matt Renshaw might be drafted into the Playing XI, having replaced the 23-year-old in the Sydney Test against South Africa. Another player in the frame is Peter Handscomb, with Australia's selectors taking into account the required balance among the top six batters. If Renshaw were to play, Australia would have five left-handers in the top seven.
India vs Australia complete squads for Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
India
The side have been bolstered with the return of Ravindra Jadeja after five months, but the injury-plagued international career of Shreyas Iyer continues as the batter is ruled out for the first Test. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav, who is expected to make his Test debut
India’s Test squad
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav
Australia
Australia have been hit in the pace department, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ruled for the first Test. While Starc is expected to return for Test no. 2, Hazlewood remains doubtful. Another injury on this list is all-rounder Cameron Green, who might not bowl during this series.
Australia's Test squad
Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
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