Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023

Bharat had been the second keeper in the Test team and with Rishabh Pant out of action for an indefinite period due to injuries sustained in a horrific car accident on December 30, there was a slot open in the side. He then got the nod ahead of Ishan Kishan to be India's wicketkeeper in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener at Nagpur.

Rohit batted aggressively and raced to his fifty off 66 deliveries as he and K.L Rahul raised 76 runs for the opening wicket as India set themselves for a big total in their first innings. However, they let slip some of that advantage when Rahul got out just an over before stumps, raising Australia's hopes after they failed to reach even 200 in their first innings on a spin-friendly track on which the ball was staying low occasionally.

At lunch, Labuschagne was batting on 47 while Smith was on 19 as Australia survived some anxious moments in two hours of play in the morning. Labuschagne faced 110 deliveries in the first session while Smith negotiated 74 deliveries for his 19. After Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first.

After playing the first Test at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur, India and Australia will play the next three Tests in New Delhi (February 17-21), Dharamshala (March 1-5) and Ahmedabad (March 9-13). India are the current holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won the last three series against Australia in 2017, 2018-19 and 2020-21. Australia, on the other hand, last won a Test series in India in 2004.

India is currently placed second on the World Test Championship (WTC) table and will need to win the series to qualify for the final. In an exclusive interaction with host broadcaster Star Sports, Warner talked about the fierce India-Australia rivalry, who will win the trophy and more.

There are a lot of things at stake in the four-match series as Australia have not won a series in India since 2004 and India hoping to maintain their domination at home. But underlining the contest between the two countries is an intense battle for the spots in the World Test Championship Final, to be played later this year.

However, in recent times, it has been proved that if the fans expect a tough contest, they will come out to the stadiums to watch the proceedings, not bothered whether the game will last three hours, eight hours or five days. If the contest is good and strong teams are involved, the battles in the field are good enough to entice the spectators as big crowds at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and other venues have proved.

The Indian team management and touring selector will be facing a selection dilemma with key player Rishabh Pant unavailable following a car accident and a bevy of exciting players lining up to get into the squad. Pant's absence creates a headache for the Indian team's think tank as they have to decide on a few positions that have opened up -- a middle-order spot and a wicketkeeper (they can combine that into one too).