Australia vs India 2nd Test 2023: Test Match Prediction & Preview – Australia is facing a crucial test in their quest to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series alive against India. The visitors need to find answers quickly, especially against spin, which is expected to dominate again. The Indian spin duo of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja need to be kept at bay, something Australia failed to do in Nagpur. The visitors have to question whether they will play three spinners in Delhi.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy started at Feroz Shah Kotla, now renamed the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with a one-off Test in October 1996. Anil Kumble’s nine-wicket haul and Nayan Mongia’s unbeaten 152 in more than eight hours decided the match. This series between Australia and India has since grown into a dominant Test tussle alongside the Ashes.
However, the current tour of Australia may be a one-sided affair. After India’s thumping victory in Nagpur, they may retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in this game. Australia has to resolve a pile of issues if they want to compete. They are not a bad team, but a rebound victory would be a remarkable achievement.
Australia had a slight foothold in the first Test after Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith settled in after lunch on the opening day. But 84 for 2 was as good as it got for the visitors. Rohit Sharma and the Indian lower order put conjecture about whether 177 could be competitive into context. Australia’s 91 looked bad and the game was lost long before then.
Pat Cummins and Andrew McDonald have tried to keep calm, one of the qualities of this Australian team. They are reluctant to make major changes to personnel or tactics. However, a lot rests on the fitness of Cameron Green and how much reshuffling they can do.
The last Test on this ground was a relatively high-scoring draw in 2017. Sri Lanka was able to survive more than 100 overs in the second innings. But this match is likely to take a different shape. Australia’s previous Test in Delhi in 2013 saw R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bagging five-wicket hauls. They have been doing it for a long time.
Nathan Lyon should have some positive memories of this ground after taking 7 for 94. Todd Murphy’s debut may just have him looking over his shoulder. Glenn Maxwell, whose potential value to this side has grown in his absence, opened the batting in the second innings. It remains to be seen how Australia will get creative in their bid to stop the Indian juggernaut.
The focus now is on David Warner, who was left in the shadows after he struggled in the previous Test in Nagpur. He has been to India plenty of times, but his Test record is poor. In the previous Test, he was bowled from round the wicket by Mohammed Shami, then trapped lbw by Ashwin, having been rendered almost strokeless. He dug deep at the MCG a couple of months ago for his double century when questions were being asked, but those conditions were much more in his favour.
It is Cheteshwar Pujara’s 100th Test match. He has been a thorn in Australia’s side over the last three series, most famously in the back-to-back victories in Australia. He will be keen to atone for his uncharacteristic shot in Nagpur when he top-edged a rarely-seen sweep. Pujara’s form at home over the last two years has been ropey, as he has not passed fifty since making 73 against England in Chennai in 2021. However, someone with Pujara’s record can never be discounted.
The second Test between India and Australia is expected to be an exciting contest, as both teams are expected to make some changes to their playing XIs. India is set to bring back Shreyas Iyer, who has an excellent record in Test cricket, in place of Suryakumar Yadav. Meanwhile, Australia may make a few changes, including the possible inclusion of all-rounder Cameron Green, who missed the first Test due to a shoulder injury.
India is likely to stick with their opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who played brilliantly in the first Test. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is playing his 100th Test, will be expected to bat at number three, followed by captain Virat Kohli and the returning Iyer.
Rishabh Pant, who played a match-winning knock in the first Test, is likely to bat at number six, followed by Ravindra Jadeja, who was impressive with both bat and ball in the first Test. The bowling attack is expected to remain the same, with Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami leading the attack.
Australia, on the other hand, may make a few changes to their batting order. David Warner, who struggled in the first Test, is expected to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja, who was drafted into the squad as a replacement for injured opener Marcus Harris. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who are the backbone of the Australian batting line-up, will bat at three and four respectively.
Cameron Green, who is expected to be fit for the second Test, will be a crucial addition to the team, as he provides balance to the team with his all-round abilities.
Peter Handscomb and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey will complete the middle order, followed by the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and debutant Todd Murphy. Nathan Lyon, who took seven wickets in the last Test played at this venue, is expected to lead the spin attack for Australia.
Both teams have a lot to play for in this Test, with India looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Australia looking to level the series. It remains to be seen which team will come out on top in what promises to be an intriguing contest.
Australia vs India 2nd Test 2023 Prediction:
Another resounding performance is expected from India. A 4-0 series win is predicted.
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