India vs Australia 1st Test: Toss, preview, playing XIs, stats and prediction in Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener

India are the overwhelming favourites going into the four-match Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. However, they have a poor record Down Under.

Head-to-Head Overall: 25 Test series (Australia wins 12, India wins 8)

Head-to-Head in Australia: 11 Test series (Australia wins 8, India wins 0)

Head-to-Head Overall: 94 Test matches (Australia wins 41, India wins 26)

Head-to-Head in Australia: 44 Test matches (Australia wins 28, India wins 5)

(Image: AFP)

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Capacity: 50,000

Head-to-Head at Adelaide Oval: 11 Tests (Australia wins 7, India wins 1)

All Results at Adelaide Oval

1948 Australia win by inns & 16 runs

1967 Australia win by 146 runs

1978 Australia win by 47 runs

1981 match drawn

1985 match drawn

1992 Australia win by 38 runs

1999 Australia win by 285 runs

2003 India win by 4 wickets

2008 match drawn

2012 Australia win by 298 runs

2014 Australia win by 48 runs 

(Image: Twitter)

Australia have recalled right-hand batsman Peter Handscomb in the playing eleven, while dropping batting all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. India on the other hand have named a 12-man squad with either Hanuma Vihari or Rohit Sharma to play in the final playing XI. 

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

INDIA: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari/Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah 

(Image: Agencies)

It will be an important toss to win. The Adelaide pitch is generally a good batting track if the batsmen can endure the early swing and bounce. Traditionally, teams batting first have a good record here. The team winning the toss is expected to bat first. (Image: AFP)

India look the better side on paper against Australia in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner. However, the Indian team usually struggle in the first Test match of the tour. Australia still have the bowling attack to trouble India and that is what gives them a slight edge over the visitors. (Image: AFP)