IND vs AUS 2023: Allan Border predicts Australia's XI for Delhi Test; snubs Todd Murphy

Ahead of the crucial second Test between India and the visitors, the Aussie great, Allan Border named his preferred playing XI and made a bold decision to drop the new spin sensation, Todd Murphy. After taking a lead 1-0 in the series following a dominating win in the first Test, India host Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, which is scheduled to be played on Friday, February 17.

Leading into the second red-ball contest, Australia legend Allan Border expressed his thoughts on the players that should feature in the XI for the Delhi Test. He also admitted that the side will need to make few bold decisions which includes dropping young Todd Murphy despite the kind of innings he displayed in the Nagpur Test and go with three seamers and one spinner.

“You’ve got to go with (Nathan) Lyon, he’s built up enough brownie points over the years to be the first picked. Well done to young (Todd) Murphy, it’s going to be a tough decision to leave him out, I know the wicket is going to turn but I just reckon the formula for us to be successful (is) three quickies and one spinner,” said Border on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“We could (see Warner dropped this series). I don’t like to say it because he’s been so good for us. We just need to see something more from him at the top of the order,” added Border. 

The 22-year-old, Todd Murphy returned magnificent bowling figures on his debut and racked up seven wickets in the first Test.

Just couldn’t believe that Travis Head could be left out: Allan Border

The cricketer turned expert for Fox Cricket further expressed that he was baffled by the decision to drop Travis Head for the first Test. Head relished a majestic run against West Indies and South Africa as he got 525 runs in seven innings.

“He (Travis Head) deserved the opportunity to play in that First Test match no doubt it about, I think they got that selection really wrong,” added Border.

Allan Border’s XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green (if fit), Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood (if fit)