Ind vs Aus: 5 Players who could be benched in first Test

3) Scott Boland

Scott Boland has had an excellent start to his cricket career and has been sensational whenever called upon by the skipper. The Melbourne-born pacer is popularly remembered for his exploits against England in the Ashes where he took a six-fer for just seven runs in a four-over spell. He has been a fan favourite and has been a part of the Australian squad ever since. 

The 33-year-old has been delivering the goods, giving tough competition to the likes of Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc for a spot in the Australian Test line-up but still hasn’t been able to cement his place. The speedster has been a gun bowler for Pat Cummins whenever called upon. He has only played Test cricket in Australia so selecting him straight in the first Test in India might be a strange call. 

Mitchell Starc has already been ruled out of the first Test but looks highly unlikely that Boland will get a nod. Australia would be tempted to go ahead with two speedsters, including their talismanic skipper Pat Cummins and  Josh Hazelwood. An injury to either of them during the tour might open a spot for Boland.