India vs Australia: With the race for the World Test Championship final heating up, there’s a lot at stake at the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. While Australia sits on top of the WTC table with one foot firmly into the final, India currently lies second and can secure their place in the final with a 3-1 win over Australia in their upcoming home series.
As we gear up for the much-awaited fixture of the cricketing calendar let’s take a closer look at the players likely to have the most impact. With spin likely to play a key role in the upcoming series, let’s take a look at the top three spinners.
While Australia have included four spinners in their 18-member squad, India also have four spinners in their 17-member squad.
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India vs Australia: Top 3 Spinners to watch out
Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin will lead the spin attack for the hosts. The seasoned campaigner has been a force to reckon with 449 wickets to his name will be the spinner to watch out for once again. Last year, the off-spinner has pocketed twenty wickets in six matches. If we take a look at Ashwin’s stats, he has been a force to reckon with at home as compared to away, and the visiting Australian side will be well aware of the threat.
Stats:
Home vs Away Record: 2011-2022:
Home: In 51 matches, Ashwin has pocketed 312 wickets, which included 24 five-wicket hauls.
Away: In 36 matches, Ashwin has pocketed 133 wickets, which includes six five-wicket hauls.
India vs Australia at home:
Ashwin has played 18 matches against Australia at home, with 89 wickets to his name, which included five five-wicket hauls and a ten-wicket haul.
Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja will be returning after a long injury layoff. Though he has been picked for the upcoming series, his inclusion will be subject to clearing the fitness test. The Indian team will be hoping for a clean chit with Jadeja being a strong key in the spin attack for the hosts. Taking a look at his record at home against Australia, Jadeja has so far pocketed 63 wickets from 12 matches, which includes three five-wicket hauls. Much like Ashwin, Jadeja’s stats at home against Australia are overwhelming.
Stats:
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Home vs Away Record:
Home: 2012-2022: In 36 matches at home, Jadeja has picked up 172 wickets.
Away: 2013-2022: In 23 away matches, Jadeja has picked up 69 wickets.
India vs Australia at home:
In the 12 matches that Jadeja has played against Australia at home, he has pocketed 63 wickets from 12 matches.
Nathan Lyon
For the visitors, the experienced Nathan Lyon will lead the spin attack. While Lyon will be their leading spinner, he will be supported by Ashton Agar, Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson. Lyon has accounted for 34 wickets from the seven matches he has played in India. Facing a lethal spin attack from the hosts, Australia will take comfort from the fact that Lyon has been successful in equal measures both at home and away.
Stats:
Home vs Away Record:
Home: 2011-2023: In 62 matches at home, Lyon has pocketed 238 wickets
Away: 2011-2022: In the 49 matches that Lyon has played away, the spinner has accounted for 207 wickets
Australia vs India in India:
In the seven matches that Lyon has played in India, he has pocketed 34 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls.
The first Test of the four-match series will get underway on Feb 9th. Currently, the Aussies hold the urn, having retained it at home in 2021-22.
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