New Delhi: The traditional bouncy nature of Perth wickets will greet India in the Border-Gavaskar series opener against Australia from November 22. Perth has been Australia’s lair with the extra pace and bounce often troubling visiting team’s batters.
Australia have always keen to utilise the advantage of the hard surface and seized the initiative against opponents after choosing to begin their Test summer from this venue.
India will play for the second time at the Optus Stadium in Perth, which has replaced the famed WACA Ground, situated on the other side of the Swan river.
WACA has always been a fortress for Australia, who have always exploited their familiar conditions to dominate their opponents. They have continued to maintain their dominance at the new Optus Stadium.
Australia have played four matches at the 60,000 capacity Optus Stadium, winning all of them. In the lone Test India played at the venue in 2018, they were beaten by 146 runs despite a sparkling century by Virat Kohli.
In what was the venue’s inaugural match, Kohli scored 123 in what is regarded as one of his better knocks in Test cricket.
While Perth is known for pace and bounce, spinners have been almost equally effective, with only marginal difference in bowling averages and strike rates between the fast and slower bowlers.
India’s track record at Perth
As conditions of the Perth stadium are very similar to the WACA, India will have a task at hand. AT WACA< India had played in four matches, winning only once in 2008.
In what was a memorable win, all-rounder Irfan Pathan was adjudged man of the match for his five wickets and 74 runs across two innings.
India’s record at WACA, Perth
In 1977 – India lost by two wickets
In 1992 – India lost by 300 runs
In 2008 – India won by 72 runs
In 2012 – Australia won by innings and 37 runs
India’s record at Optus Stadium, Perth
In 2018 – Australia won by 146 runs
Most runs and highest score by an Indian at Perth
With 259 runs in two Tests – one each at the WACA and Optus Stadium, Kohli is the top scorer in Perth, including a century.
He is followed by 226 of Sachin Tendulkar in three matches, with a ton. Sunil Gavaskar holds the mark of the highest score at the venue with 127 runs in 1977. Kohli struck 123 in 2018 as India lost both matches.
Most wickets and best bowling figures by an Indian at Perth
Spin icon Bishan Singh Bedi remains the only Indian with a 10-wicket haul, achieving it in 1977, in his lone appearance in Perth and remains the highest wicket-taker.
Mohammed Shami, who is out of the team with injury, has the best bowling figures by an India in Perth, claiming 6/56 in the second innings in 2018.
India will play for the second time at the Optus Stadium in Perth, which has replaced the famed WACA Ground Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
