India are set to kick off their 2024-25 Australia tour with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 22. The series opener poses a formidable challenge for the visitors, particularly in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, who will miss the match due to personal reasons.
India secured back-to-back Test series victories on Australian soil, both by 2-1 margins during their previous tours in 2018-19 and 2020-21. These historic wins have elevated India’s stature in overseas Test cricket, but the opening Test at Perth promises to be an uphill battle.
How Team India has performed in Perth?
Perth has historically been a tough venue for visiting teams, and India is no exception. In four Test matches at the WACA Ground, India have managed only one win: a thrilling 72-run victory in 2008.
In 2018, Australia shifted their base in Perth from the WACA to the Optus Stadium, where India played their only Test on the new ground. That encounter saw Australia clinch a dominant 146-run victory, further solidifying their home advantage at the venue.
Here’s a breakdown of India’s performances in Perth over the years:
- 1977: Australia won by 2 wickets
- 1992: Australia won by 300 runs
- 2008: India won by 72 runs
- 2012: Australia won by an innings and 37 runs
- 2018: Australia won by 146 runs
The Perth challenge for Team India
The Optus Stadium is renowned for its pace-friendly pitch, featuring extra bounce and swing that has traditionally troubled visiting teams. Australia’s fearsome pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will look to exploit these conditions to put India’s batting lineup under pressure.
India’s batters, including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and promising youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel will need to adapt quickly to the challenging conditions.
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Australia in command at home
Australia, led by Pat Cummins, are looking to defend their formidable home record, particularly at Perth, where they have never lost a Test match at the Optus Stadium. The hosts come into the series eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has remained in India’s possession since 2017.
The return of India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who will also lead the team in Rohit’s absence, offers hope for the visitors. Bumrah’s ability to extract bounce and movement on lively tracks like Perth could prove decisive in keeping Australia’s batting lineup, featuring Travis Head, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
High stakes for both teams
For India, the series holds extra significance as they seek to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secure vital points in their quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025. Australia, on the other hand, are motivated by a desire for redemption after consecutive home series losses to India.
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