Australia will look to start their four-game Test series against India with a victory – and they’ve produced some major selection decisions in their bid to make it happen.
Travis Head has sensationally been dropped from the side in favour of a returning Peter Handscomb, while young spinner Todd Murphy will make his Test debut.
India have also named two debutants for the opening clash of the series, with white-ball specialist Suryakumar Yadav making the jump to the Test arena.
The visitors won the toss and have opted to bat first in Nagpur
The Sporting News will have live scores, analysis and talking points throughout the day’s play below.
India vs Australia 1st Test live score
| AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) |
2/14 (4) Marnus Labuschagne 8* (11) Steve Smith 0* (5) |
India vs Australia Day 1 talking points and analysis
Indian seamers cause early havoc as Warner, Khawaja fail
While all the talk heading into the first Test was about how the visitors would play against spin, it was the pace attack from India that caused all the early damage.
On a deck that was giving very little carry for the bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj both took early poles to leave the Aussie in disarray.
Usman Khawaja was dismissed LBW by Siraj after just three deliveries, with the hosts challenging the on-field decision and successfully having it overutned by the DRS.
Khawaja gone! What a review from India and Siraj strikes early!
📺WATCH: #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/sgK8cLGI9i
✍️BLOG: https://t.co/FtslmibtlU
🔢MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/nFwUFkyiZI pic.twitter.com/p08vWygiu3— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 9, 2023
Moments later, David Warner’s off-stump was sent cartwheeling by Shami, with the left-hander bowled for just one run and starting an important series in poor fashion.
Warner OUT, Australia 2-2 😮
📺WATCH: #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/sgK8cLGI9i
✍️BLOG: https://t.co/FtslmibtlU
🔢MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/nFwUFkyiZI pic.twitter.com/tEb027vpO0— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 9, 2023
With just two pace bowlers in the Indian lineup, they are unlikely to feature as prominently as the spinners – but they couldn’t have started things off any better in Nagpur.
Travis Head dropped, Peter Handscomb returns in shock move
One of Australia’s most in-form batsman, Travis Head, has sensationally been dropped from the side in favour of a returning Peter Handscomb.
The 29-year-old is coming off a strong home summer, but the Aussie selectors have opted to bring in an extra right-hander and superior player of spin-bowling, with Handscomb earning a recall after a lengthy absence.
Head’s omission has left plenty of cricket fans shocked and confused, but it’s clearly a ‘horses for courses’ scenario that the Australians had hinted at moving towards after a failed tour of Sri Lanka last year.
Absolutely mind-boggling decision to drop Travis Head from the Aussie side. One of the most in-form players in Test cricket and an X-factors player that can turn a game on its head.
Truly bizarre stuff, IMO. #INDvsAUS
— Liam O’Loughlin (@ljoloughlin) February 9, 2023
We drop our most dynamic player on account of Handscomb having played the sweep a few times last decade? https://t.co/kboemS187B
— Jackson Eldridge (@jacko_eldridge) February 9, 2023
Would have been interesting to see if Travis Head still plays if Agar is selected instead of Murphy.
Two off-spinners might be the max.
I get why they’ve made the decision, but his aggressive batting and ability to score quick runs could have been key. #INDvAUS
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 9, 2023
Handscomb will slot into the middle-order alongside Matt Renshaw, while young gun Todd Murphy makes his Test debut after less than 10 first-class games.
India vs Australia 1st Test confirmed lineups
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
What time does India vs Australia start?
All four Test matches will begin at 3pm AEDT and 9.30am IST.
How to watch or live stream India vs Australia
Fox Cricket will broadcast each game live and exclusive in Australia, while Star Sports holds the rights to the series in India.
| Australia | India | |
| TV Channel | Fox Cricket | Star Sports |
| Live Stream | Foxtel Go/Kayo Sports | Disney+ Hotstar |
Credit: sportingnews.com