India and Australia clash in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener on Friday, with both teams grappling with out-of-form batting units.
India, under pressure after a home defeat to New Zealand, must win 4-0 to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive. Missing key players Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Shubman Gill, India lean on Jasprit Bumrah to lead the bowling attack against an inconsistent Australian batting lineup.
Australia seek to avenge past series losses, with Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins showing form, while India bank on young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel.
Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant face pivotal moments in their careers. With tactical decisions on spinners and all-rounders crucial, the series promises intense competition, potentially defined by the bowlers.
