India's Predicted starting XI for Test series against Australia

The much-awaited India’s tour to Australia commences in November with the ODI series. The Test tour starts from December, and some very interesting choices have been made by the selectors for this all-important rivalry. 

The Virat Kohli-led side is on top of the World Test Championship with 360 points. However, they were clean swept in New Zealand in the two-match Test series in early 2020. This series is extremely important from the WTC point of view, as only the top 2 teams qualify to play the Finals at Lord’s

Kohli became the first Indian captain to lead India to a Border Gavaskar Trophy victory in Australia in the 2018/19 season, winning 2-1. However, with the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia are a lot more lethal than they were back then. This series shall be a treat to watch for Test cricket fans.

Here’s India’s Predicted XI in Tests for Australia series

1. Mayank Agarwal

Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal has been India’s first-choice opener in the longest format ever since he made his debut. With 974 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 57.29, he has certainly established himself firmly in the team after years of grinding it out in the domestic circuit. He has five Test centuries to his name, with two of them being double tons. 

Agarwal made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test a couple of years ago, and he did not disappoint. He scored 76 & 42 after replacing comrade KL Rahul as the opener, who had a disappointing series last time around. He followed it up with another half-century at the SCG in the first innings. He was certainly among the major positives for India in their success in 2018-19. 

He maintained this consistency in the matches to follow as well, scoring double hundreds against South Africa and Bangladesh in the home season. However, in New Zealand, he played well in the first Test with scores of 34 & 58 in his first tour there. He failed to perform in the next match, getting dismissed early for just 7 & 3 runs.