Border Gavaskar Trophy: While India cricket team management and BCCI went mostly with proven performers, there were a couple of surprise in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana - who are yet to play Tests for India.

With Rohit Sharma unavailable, pace spearhead and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side

Nathan McSweeney has been tasked to open on his Australia debut despite not being a specialist in that position but he remains unfazed ahead of his big test in the series opener against India.

The centre-wicket match simulation at WACA ground has served its purpose as the Indian team got what it wanted ahead of the opening Test against Australia, believed Abhishek Nayar and Morne Morkel.

Nathan Lyon believes that rival players often serve as the "best coaches", acknowledging that his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin has "taught" him a great deal through their faceoffs since 2011-12.

In response to questions about Sarfaraz's suitability for the challenging Australian conditions, Ganguly emphasized the importance of providing opportunities before passing judgment.

Australia vs Pakistan 3rd T20I, Highlights: Aaron Hardie's three-wicket haul, followed by a fiery half-century from Marcus Stoinis helped Australia defeat Pakistan by seven wickets

Morne Morkel had a fun banter with Mohammed Siraj during India's intra-squad match simulation training ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series opener in Perth.

Australia vs Pakistan 3rd T20I, Live Streaming: Australia are all set to face Pakistan in the third T20I of the three-match series on Monday in Hobart.

India decided against playing a match against an Australian domestic side in the run up to the five-match Test series, starting in Perth from November 22.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is convinced that seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin "must play" in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series opener against Australia

Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson went down the memory lane and revisited his infamous rivalry with star India batter Virat Kohli.

Sunil Gavaskar had suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should lead India in entire Test series against Australia.

Virat KohliDuring the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a lot of focus will be on out-of-form Virat Kohli, for whom the Australian soil has been a happy hunting place over the years.

India could be without skipper Rohit Sharma, who became father for the second time and is yet to reach Australia, for the 1st Test in Perth.

Virat Kohli currently has 1,352 runs in 13 Tests in Australia at an average of 54.08.

India skipper Rohit Sharma and batter Shubman Gill are likely to miss the first Test against Australia in Perth.

Mohammed Shami's international comeback might take place in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but it could happen during the second half of the series.