The moment the cricket fraternity has been eagerly awaiting seems to have approached quicker than anticipated. India will finally begin their expedition Down Under with the first Test to commence against Australia, to be played at the Perth Stadium. There are a whole lot of underlying themes that make this series a contest to savour. Bragging rights is an honour both the teams would want to seize, but this particular series is more than just that.

The ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship has both sides placed one below the other, separated by a minute gap. However, both sides, in particular, India, would want to avoid any kind of slipup, particularly in the very first game of the series. There are a handful of players from both sides to keep an eye on, with their performances being overarchingly critical for the success of their side. 

Here are the three players to watch out for in Perth Test: 

3. Jasprit Bumrah

The Perth Test has a unique appeal to it. Not only will Jasprit Bumrah be the leader of the bowling lineup, but also the entire squad. Rohit Sharma attending to his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, meant Bumrah to be elected as the interim skipper. It is interesting to note that Bumrah has captained India only once. Hence, not a lot is known about the tactics he will employ.

It will be crucial for Bumrah to set the tone with the ball. However, his responsibilities don’t just end there. Apart from running in under the scorching heat, he will also have to be proactive on the field when it comes to thinking about the game and carrying out tactics. There will also be a heightened wave of expectations from him due to the manner he has spearheaded the bowling attack in the past so many years as well as managing the workload of the spinners.

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2. Steve Smith

Steve Smith has been one of the very best in the format for a prolonged duration. However, ever since his move to the top of the order in Tests, it has not quite worked out for him the way he would have liked. Apart from the 91* in Brisbane, Smith has not been able to make the most of his opportunities at the top. Nathan McSweeney heading into the first Test as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner means that Smith will drop to his favoured No. 4 spot, a position he has racked up a wealth of runs in the past. 

His characteristic unconventional mannerism while plying his trade with the willow has seen him garner a whole lot of success over time. Tackling the diverse attack of the Indian bowling lineup will require grit from Smith. Serving as a glue for the middle-order, Smith will be crucial for the hosts to handle the pressure from one end. Smith’s presence in the middle as well as on the field in the slip cordon will undeniably be immense for the hosts.

1. Virat Kohli

Ever since Virat Kohli landed in Perth, he has been the centre of attraction; such is the magnetic aura of the man. Although not in the best of nick, Kohli has always been the headline for a long time. It is no different when it comes to the opening Test. Kohli has been undergoing a lean patch for quite some time now.

A total of 14 innings have gone by with Kohli managing to register only a couple of half-centuries under his belt. Overall, it has been a period of struggle for the former skipper. However, one can never rule out a player of his calibre. With Australia being one of his most preferred oppositions, and in particular in Australia, one could very well expect him to be completely focused on the task at hand and be at his passionate best on the field.