India vs Australia: Team India will again be seen donning test whites within 15 days as a fascinating test match against Australia slated to begin on 21st December. The match is scheduled to get underway at the Wankhede, Mumbai and will feature both India and Australia lock horns in what is certainly expected to be a fierce encounter.

India will be heading into the test match with confidence on the back of a dominant performance versus England where they registered a massive 347-run victory. Australia, on the other hand, has squared off against the Mumbai women’s team in this tour in a one-day red ball affair and seems to have figured out their combination and have much-needed match practice under their belt.

They would miss the services of their experienced skipper Meg Lanning. With Alyssa Healy leading a team with talent and experience, rest assured they are everything but a docile unit.

This test match carries a lot of significance as it has almost been 40 years since Australia last visited Indian shores for a test match. It is also pertinent to note that India has never beaten Australia in any of their tests spanning over 46 years at home or away so this will be the perfect opportunity to overturn that at the venue where the teams last squared off way back in 1984. India will continue the momentum and make it two wins out of two in test cricket.

India vs Australia One-Off Test Test – Match Details

Date and Time: 20 December, 2023, Thursday, 9:30 AM IST

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Live Streaming: The match will be telecasted on Sports 18. Online live streaming will be available on JioCinema.

India vs Australia One-Off Test– Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The Pitch at the Wankhede is understood to be spin-friendly. The ball tends to grip off the surface, requiring batters to stay focussed while batting and they will be tested. Scoring runs will be challenging as the conditions make it difficult to bat, especially as the game advances so the toss will play a crucial role. Throughout all four days, the weather in Mumbai will have temperatures expected to hover in the mid-20s and no anticipated rainfall.

India vs Australia One-Off Test – Probable Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Renuka Thakur Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Australia: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Jess Jonassen, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt

India vs Australia – Head-to-Head Records in Test Cricket

India and Australia have faced each other 10 times in Tests, with Australia winning four times and six matches ending in a draw. India is yet to secure a Test victory against the Southern Stars. In the last five Test matches, Australia have won three times, and India has not yet registered a win with the last match in 2021/22 ending in a draw.

India vs Australia  Test Match – Key Players

India

• Jemimah Rodrigues: Besides the other debutant Shubha Satheesh (who will be dearly missed in this match), another player playing their first match who impressed one and all was Jemimah Rodrigues. Scoring a crucial 68 and 27 in India’s first and second innings versus England, the 23-year-old exuded confidence and a brilliant test-match temperament. She will certainly look to unleash her best game versus the Aussies and contribute to the team’s cause.
• Deepti Sharma: Another prolific all-rounder from India’s stable is Deepti Sharma. Over the years, she has been a hallmark of consistency. The test match versus England was no different as she scored 87 runs and scalped 9 wickets in total through the match being the game-changer.

Additionally, the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Pooja Vastrakar will also be players to watch out for.

#TeamIndia is very excited to play the Test against Australia. 👍 👍

Drop in a message in the comments below 🔽 to cheer for @ImHarmanpreet & co. 👏 👏#INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/N3iLPgQFWP

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 20, 2023

Australia 

• Ellyse Perry: One of the most experienced campaigners for Australia has to be Ellyse Perry. She has regularly contributed and is another player who has always contributed with both the bat and the ball. Her all-round prowess will be at its finest display when Australia squares off against India and notably her performance in the one-off test down under was remarkable.
• Ashleigh Gardner: A top performer and a prolific all-rounder from Australia, Ashleigh Gardner is an immediate starter for any team she is a part of. With her spin bamboozling batters since her debut, her batting cameos have bailed Australia out of trouble in many instances. Seeing her optimise the Mumbai conditions in her favour, it will be a treat to witness her unleash her spin wizardry.

Additionally, Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath will be players to watch out for.

It's been a hectic first five days in India!

Here's an update from coach Shelley Nitschke on what we've been up to ahead of the Test match starting Thursday #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/VQWka3rZPO

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) December 18, 2023

India vs Australia One-Off Test – Dream 11 Prediction

Wicket-keepers: Allysa Healy, Yastika Bhatia

Batters: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Tahlia McGrath, Jemimah Rodrigues

All-rounders: Ellyse Perry, Deepti Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (Vice Captain)

Bowlers: Megan Schutt, Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar

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