IND vs AUS 1st Test: India playing XI vs Australia playing XI - who has the better side for Adelaide

Aaron Finch is back fit after suffering a minor injury during practice. However, he will lead the batting order at top. He will likely play the attacking opener. His role will also be important in handling the debutant at the other end. 

The higly-rated Marcus Harris will make his debut in the squad as opener. Marcus has amassed nearly 4,000 runs in first-class cricket playing for the teams of Victoria and Western Australia. He will be an unknown commodity against the Indian attack in the first test. 

(Image: Twitter)

India will miss Prithvi Shaw. Murali Vijay will be looking make a comeback after being axed during the England tour. Vijay hit a century in the practice match to get some runs under his belt. 

KL Rahul, will be under pressure, as he has failed to cement his place in the side despite the backing of the team management. He needs to perform here to keep his place. (Image: AFP)

Usman Khawaja will be the most important player for Australia at No. 3. He has enhanced his reputaion in the Pakistan series. After the departure of Steve Smith, the Australians have struggled to find a stable middle order. Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb will look to hold the innings. Marsh had scored a handsome amount of runs when the two teams last clashed in Australia. Handscomb has been getting runs in domestic cricket. (Image: @ICC)

The middle order will be India's main strength with Virat Kohli being the key player. The Indian captain has been getting runs everywhere and ususally thrives in Australian conditions. 

Pujara's ability to play in foreign conditions will be important. He has a point or two to prove in Australia at the number three position.

Ajinkya Rahane was good for India in 2014, but his form has been incosistent so far. If he gets going at number 5, this Indian batting looks a lot more secure. (Image: PTI)

Travis Head has been in fine nick for the hosts and is expected to play at No.6 for the home team. (Image: AFP)

India will decide between Hanuma Vihari and Rohit Sharma on matchday. Vihari has impressed with his solid technique in England and has backed it up with solid knocks in warm up fixtures and A team matches. On the other hand, Rohit is likely to have team management's faith as he is a man in form with a very good record in Australia. However, his inconsistent form will be a worry. It seems Vihari may get the nod here. (Image: AFP)

Tim Paine took over the reins of Australia squad after the ball-tampering saga. While his performance both as captain and player has not been much to write about, he has shown the right attitude like the first test against Pakistan where he batted 194 balls to help his team avoid a defeat. But another failure may spell end for the him. (Image: AFP)

Rishabh Pant has started his career on a high with century at Oval. He then scored two 90+ scores in the series against West Indies. However, Australia will be a different challenge -if he can manage some runs and improve in his keeping, he may cement his place ahead of Saha. (Image: Reuters)

Nathan Lyon was one of the key reasons why India failed to win a single test in Australia during the previous tour. He wrecked the Indian batting order with his right-arm off-spin and had picked 23 wickets in that series. He will be looking to the same this time. (Image: Reuters)

R Ashwin will be a key player for India. He will bowl the most for India and they will go to him for keeping pressure and key wickets. Ashwin will also be important as a batsman with a good enough technique.  (Image: AFP)

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are Australia's best pacer while Pat Cummins has just put himself ahead of Siddle. They will be the key against the strong Indian batting line up specially Kohli. The conditions are likely to support them but they will have utilise it well. 

India dont't have Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the match as Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the attack. Shami is can run through batting orders on his day and should enjoy the pace and bounce in Australia. Bumrah has impressed since making his Test debut and has pace and variations to succeed. Ishant Sharma, the tallest of the three, has the experience of playing here and will be go-to bowler for Kohli.