The much-awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy is set to kickstart from November 22. The five-match test series will run until January 7, and will have crucial WTC spots on the line for both teams.
Currently, Australia are the top team in WTC standings with a point percentage of 62.50, while India are second with a point percentage of 58.33. According to reports, India need to win the series 4-0 to qualify for the WTC final, given that this is the series last assignment for them in the current cycle. Meanwhile, Australia will be touring Sri Lanka to play a two-match test series.
As a result, the pitch becomes a crucial factor in dictating the terms for both teams in this series. The last two test series in Australia have seen India managing to eke out a victory. However, it remains to be seen whether they will have the firepower to handle Australia’s experienced bowling attack.
On that note, let’s check out the details of what all five venues can offer to both teams.
Optus Stadium, Perth
The venue will host the first game of the series and is expected to assist fast bowlers with pace and bounce. The 2018 test played between both teams saw pacers using short ball tactic to outfox the batters.
However, spinner Nathan Lyon has proved to be the highest wicket-taker in this ground since 2018/19, with 27 scalps at an average of 18. Meanwhile, the average first-innings total is 456 during the same phase, signifying the help to the batters in the first two days of the test match. Interestingly, all four tests have been won by Australia on this ground.
Adelaide Oval
This fixture will be a day-night test played with a pink ball. In their last tour to Australia, India were all-out for 36, which is their lowest-ever test score. The teams can exploit the new pink ball, under the lights, as the surface would offer much help to the fast bowlers.
Mitchell Starc is the finest bowler at the venue with 30 scalps at an impressive average of 17.20 and the average first innings score at the venue is 375 since 2018/19.
Gabba, Brisbane
India breached the Gabba fortress during their last tour to Australia. The Indian side would look to continue their strong showing this time as well. Apart from losing against India, the hosts faced a defeat against West Indies at this venue as well.
In 2022/23, the game between South Africa and Australia was ended in two days, with grassy surface and uneven bounce. Pat Cummins is the most successful bowler with 36 wickets at 17.25, while 227 has been the average first innings score since 2018/19.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The pitch at the iconic MCG has undergone a major transformation in recent years, and is expected to help the pacers. The Indian team have won their last two games at this venue – 137 runs in 2018-19 and by eight wickets in 2020/21.
Cummins is the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps and 299 is the average first innings score since 2018/19.
Sydney Cricket Ground
There are doubts whether the SCG pitch will offer assistance to the spinners during this series. The Australian team have a disappointing record at this venue, as they have won 2 and four ended in a draw. As a result, India will be confident of putting Australian team under pressure.
The ground has the highest average (35.73) for pacers among all five venues. Nevertheless, the surface can also offer reverse swing to the pacers. Nathan Lyon has bagged 26 wickets and the average first innings score has been 436 since 2018/19.
