IND vs AUS Test: After suffering a humbling innings loss to India in Nagpur, Australia are under immense pressure to improve before the second Test begins in Delhi on Friday. Applying their horses for courses strategy, the visitors have made a shock inclusion into their squad. The Aussies are going for a spin-heavy playing XI in Delhi. Hence the selectors have sent a fourth spinning option to India in form of Matthew Kuhnemann. And it is very likely that Aussie management will now be betting on Matt Kuhnemann for the 2nd Test because they fear Ashton Agar won’t be a viable option in Delhi. Follow India vs Australia Delhi Test LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
India only needs one victory out of the final three Test matches to retain the coveted Border Gavaskar Trophy for a fourth straight time.
IND vs AUS Test: Ahead of Delhi Test, Australia line-in for SHOCK inclusion of Matthew Kuhnemann in SQUAD, Selectors in JEOPARDY over Ashton Agar, CHECK Details
The left-armer, who has joined the team to replace leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, will be considered for a Test debut when the second Test begins in Delhi on Friday.
Swepson opted to fly home to be with his wife for the birth of their child after being passed over for selection for Australia’s innings and 132 runs loss to India.
Kuhnemann now has the opportunity to play in the second Test as Australia’s selectors try to rearrange their starting lineup and win the four-match Test series.
While the team’s selectors are hoping that experienced left-armer Mitchell Starc and star all-rounder Cameron Green will be well enough to participate, Kuhnemann and fellow lefty Ashton Agar could compete for a different spinning option.
Australia pick left-arm spinner as Mitchell Swepson’s replacement for the remaining #INDvAUS Tests.
Details ⬇️#WTC23https://t.co/sy8XhCwxRV
— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2023
IND vs AUS Test: Ahead of Delhi Test, Australia line-in for SHOCK inclusion of Matthew Kuhnemann in SQUAD, Selectors in JEOPARDY over Ashton Agar, CHECK Details
Three of Australia’s first-choice players were nursing injuries during the first game of the series. While the team’s finest batsman Travis Head from the most recent home summer sat out after a selection gambit at VCA Stadium disastrously backfired.
Domination 👊
Outstanding effort from India to go 1-0 up against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 👌#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝: https://t.co/69XuLpfYpL pic.twitter.com/d6VR2t7Zyp
— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2023
India hasn’t lost a Test match at Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, since 1987, which makes things worse for the Australian team. Australia has played seven Tests there, winning just one of them in 1959 under Richie Benaud’s captaincy.
Spin for WIN?
In Nagpur, Todd Murphy’s seven-wicket haul was the one shining moment for Australia, and he made a good impression in the series opener.
Murphy and Lyon are certain to share the spin duties in Delhi once more, but Australia would be lacking a tweaker who spins the ball away from the right-hander batsman.
Both left-arm orthodox bowler Ashton Agar and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson have previous Test experience.
But selectors have now sent uncapped spinner Matt Kuhnemann to India tour as a last-minute replacement for Swepson.
Arun Jaitley Stadium favors Spin
Arun Jaitley Stadium has recently favoured the tweakers; from the beginning of 2013, spin bowlers in Delhi have averaged 29.80, compared to 36.53 for seamers. In the two Tests Australia has played in Delhi this century, spin bowlers have claimed 27 of the team’s 30 wickets.
Australia might be tempted to replace Scott Boland with a third-strike spinner. But that would only be possible if Cameron Green will be available and well enough to bowl.
