India and Australia meet in the opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Friday with both teams struggling with out-of-form batting units.
India, under pressure after a home loss to New Zealand, need to win 4-0 to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive. With key players Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Shubman Gill missing, India will rely on Jasprit Bumrah to lead the bowling attack against an inconsistent Australian batting line-up.
Australia are looking to avenge last series' defeats with Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins in form, while India are banking on young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel.
Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are facing crucial moments in their careers. With tactical decisions on spinners and all-rounders crucial, the series promises to be an intense competition that may be dictated by the bowlers.
