Australia vs India 2018-19, 2nd Test: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips

After a good start to the series with a 31-run win in Adelaide, India will be aiming for their maiden Test series win in Australia. A victory in the Perth Stadium’s Test debut will help India regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and inch closer to a record. India are set to make two changes to their winning combination due to injuries. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin were ruled out of this Test due to a jarred lower back and abdominal strain respectively.

The 13-man squad announced by India doesn’t give any clue regarding the probable playing XI but the pitch does. 24 hours before the game, the grass has been left without shaving off on what is expected to be a bouncy track in Perth. Hanuma Vihari could be a straight swap for Rohit while Bhuvneshwar Kumar can be Ashwin’s replacement given the grass on the wicket.

This will leave India to field an all pace-attack for the second time this year after the Johannesburg Test. Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav could consider themselves unlucky on the track which suits them. Jadeja is good at using bounce off the pitch and could come handy if rough patches are formed as the match progresses. Australia, despite a loss in the first Test, would be fielding an unchanged XI.

Match Details:

The second game of the four-match Test series between Australia and India will be hosted by the Perth Stadium.

The match starts on 14th December 2018 at 10:20 AM local time (2:20 AM GMT) (7:50 AM IST).

The game will be live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD in India. (Live streaming in Sony Liv)

Last five Test matches:

Australia: L, L, D, L, L, L.

India: W, W, W, L, L.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Perth Stadium is set to produce a pacy and bouncy pitch for its Test debut. The Sheffield Shield game between the hosts Western Australia and New South Wales witnessed 32 wickets by the pacers including an 8-fer from Jhye Richardson. The team winning the toss would be happy to bowl first after winning the toss, provided the curator doesn’t shave off the grass.

Squads:

Australia:

Tim Paine (C), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain.

India:

Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Parthiv Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Probable XI:

Australia:

Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (C & WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

India:

Virat Kohli (C), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari/Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Power Picks:

Pat Cummins has been Australia’s best bowler in 2018 as he is the only bowler in the current Australian squad with an average of less than 33 in the current year. Cummins has 32 wickets in six Tests this year at 21.71. Nathan Lyon might be a surprise pick on pace-friendly conditions. The off-spinner claimed seven wickets in the WA-NSW game last month including a four-fer.

Best Playing XI:

Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Ishant Sharma.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Despite a tough first match, it is tough to overlook Virat Kohli while considering multiplier options. The pitch might not assure a big knock from the Indian skipper who can be at least the vice-captain. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins can be the captain, both of whom are expected to be the X-factor for their respective teams. Even if Cummins picks a wicket or two less than Bumrah, he is capable of adding a few runs with the bat down the order.

Expert Advice:

Given the uncertainty in the Indian playing XI, the expected players who are going to fill the void can be ignored. Among the bowlers, only one of the Australian pacers- Starc, Hazlewood can be picked. And the same goes for Indian pacers- Ishant and Shami as well. Starc can be preferred due to his left-arm angle while Ishant due to his complete bowling compared to Shami who is usually effective in the second spell.

Probable Winners:

India will once again start as the favourites due to a bowling attack that could floursih in the helpful conditions.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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