IND vs AUS 2023: Mitchell Starc is aiming to be fit for the second Test against India in Delhi. After confirming he expects to miss the series opener with a finger injury.
Starc’s middle finger of his left-hand remains in a brace. After he detached the tendon from the bone in the Boxing Day Test, leaving him unable to bowl.
The left-arm has been the second quick alongside Pat Cummins on Australia’s most recent Test tours in Asia. Where he averages less than 30 with his reverse swing.
Starc also plays a crucial secondary role in Australia’s attack. Also, creating footmarks for Nathan Lyon to spin the ball out of as he comes around the wicket.
The 32-year-old was considered a 50-50 chance of playing the first Test in Nagpur. But concedes that is unlikely ahead of the four-match series.
Allrounder Cameron Green will also join Starc on the sideline for the first Test. Leaving Australia short of pace bowling back-up. Nagpur has traditionally benefiting for the Spinners and will work as a big-turning wicket. Playing with Jason Krezja taking 12 wickets there on debut in 2008.
Green and Starc’s absence means Josh Hazlewood is almost certain to play his second Test in Asia since 2017. After he was overlooked for four of five matches in Sri Lanka and Pakistan last year.
Hazlewood impressed on his return from a side strain in Sydney last week, with his reverse-swing a feature in both innings.
Scott Boland could also come into contention as a third quick with Green out, given Travis Head and others can act as spinners but there are no part-time pace options.
But Cummins said he would have no workload concerns on going into Tests with two sole seamers in India.
IND vs AUS: Predicted India Test Squad For Australia
The Australian cricket team toured India in September 2022 to play three T20I matches. As a preparatory series before the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. After which they’re scheduled to tour in February and March 2023 to play four IND vs AUS Test matches.
India’s probable Test squad for the IND vs AUS 2023 Australia series:-
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk). KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav. Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Jasprit Bumrah.
