Head returns, Kuhnemann to debut as Aussies wins toss and elects to bat in second Test against India

Australia won the second Test match toss against India with skipper Pat Cummins electing to bat.

After also winning the toss and batting in the disastrous first Test in Nagpur, Cummins is hoping for a better batting display from his charges in the capital Delhi.

India’s Rohit Sharma and Australia’s Pat Cummins are seen at the coin toss during the first day of the second Test match in the series between India and Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

“It looks like the middle has a bit of grass, but it’s pretty bare at both ends,” he said.

“So I guess there will be a bit of a twist there, it’s a good challenge for our team.”

We’ve all lost games before and had to bounce back, so that’s the challenge for the group this week. It has been a very good preparation and everyone is looking forward to it.’

Travis Head of Australia bowls during an Australia Test team training session at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Delhi.

Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc have failed in their attempts to be fit for the Test match with Travis Head remembered for Matt Renshaw and Queensland left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann to make his debut in place of Scott Boland.

Marnus Labuschagne gifted his state teammate Kuhnemann his baggy green.

Kuhnemann was playing in the Sheffield Shield less than a week ago but will play as a third player alongside early Test sensation Todd Murphy and veteran Nathan Lyon after being called up to the squad to replace Queensland team-mate Mitchell Swepson.

The last time Australia picked three spinners was against Bangladesh in 2017 when Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O’Keefe played, as well as all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

Victorian speedy miser Scott Boland retires for Kuhnemann after playing a major role in Nagpur last week.

Australia’s Kuhnemann bowls during an Australia Test team training session at Arun Jaitley Stadium

“We feel like the course here, the conditions, that effect will dominate the game once again and from what we understand this course has already been used three times this year and there are already substantial cracks in the areas where most of the game goes. to be played,’ said Australian coach Tony Dodemaide.

Australia will need to defy history to level the series, with India unbeaten in red-ball matches at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium since 1987.

India will enter the match with extra motivation as prolific No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara prepares to play his 100th Test.

The hosts have made just one change, with newcomer Shreyas Iyer replacing Suryakumar Yadav at No.5

The match will kick off in heavily smoggy conditions, with Delhi’s air quality index classed as dangerous.