Australia vs India 2018-19: India's predicted XI for the first Test at Adelaide Oval

The buzz surrounding the India-Australia Test encounters has crossed all horizons and is expected to soar higher with each passing minute. The much-awaited Test series will commence from December 6 at Adelaide, followed by the duels at Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.

With Australia lacking the services of their experienced campaigners David Warner and Steve Smith, and the present Indian lineup appearing as a highly formidable Test unit, you could easily anticipate the series to wind up in India's favor by a margin of either 2-1 or 3-1.

Here's a look at India's predicted lineup for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide Oval, Adelaide.

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#1 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw

The 19-year-old is all set to step foot into the fiery Australian conditions, which would be a big test of his adroitness in the longer format.

Whether he will notch up a titanic innings against the raging Australian side or fail to get too much on the board isn't something that can be predicted at the moment. However, what can be expected out of the Mumbai based cricketer is a gritty performance, which could solidify his presence for the game at Perth.

#2 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay

Known by many as the Monk, Murali Vijay would have to prove his place in the middle or else he could be dropped for the subsequent duels.

The big reason why he would likely be making the playing XI for the first Test is the numbers he has obtained when competing against the likes of the Australian unit. In 13 Tests against the Aussies, the Tamil Nadu bloke has aggregated a tally of 1,275 runs at a brilliant average of 53.13, with four centuries and six half-centuries.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara could be the go-to man for India in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series. His record while competing against the Australian side speaks volumes about his adroitness at handling their bowling unit.

An average of 55.05 in 12 Tests, a run tally of 1,101, hundred and fifty counts standing at two and six respectively, speak a lot about his caliber as a solid player for the Indian team.

#4 Virat Kohli (c)

Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper would be carrying the responsibility of the entire team on his shoulders, making it all the more important for him to exhibit his prowess in the nerve-wracking conditions.

The 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar series had witnessed the 30-year-old whack four centuries in as many Tests and amass a tally of 692 runs under his belt. Looking at his current run of form in the red-ball arena, a similar result could be expected from him in the forthcoming duels.

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane

The Mumbaikar has a phenomenal record when playing in overseas conditions. A run tally of 2,131 at an average of 46.33, with 6 centuries and 11 half-centuries, all in a matter of 52 innings, gives a brief description of the prowess he possesses in the longer format of the game.

#6 Rishabh Pant (wk)

Rishabh Pant

The Delhi lad has been raking in a tremendous amount of attention onto himself from the time he made his Test debut during the tour of England. A century in the final game at Kennington Oval, followed by successive 50-plus knocks in the two-match Test series versus Windies, have cemented his position in the playing XI.

Pant's performance in the 1st Test at Adelaide could prove highly beneficial for the Indian side in amassing a big total on the board.

#7 Ravichandran Ashwin

R Ashwin

Ashwin is one of the finest off-spinners to have ever set foot onto the cricketing arena. Based on his records and statistics alone, we can expect some strong performances from him in the forthcoming four-match Test series.

In 14 matches played against the Aussies, the Tamil Nadu cricketer has managed to affect 71 dismissals to his name. And looking at his recent exploits in the longer format of the game, it won't be surprising if he finishes as the leading wicket-taker of the Border-Gavaskar series 2018-19.

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Regarded as one of India's finest swing bowlers at the moment, Bhuvneshwar would hold the key on the pitches Down Under. For someone who is proficient in the art of generating swing at will, the task of uprooting the present Aussie lineup would rest largely on his shoulders.

#9 Mohammed Shami

Mohammad Shami

The 28-year-old's reverse-swing abilities could prove highly lethal for the Australian unit. Already the home side would be lacking the services of Warner and Smith, and when faced with a player of Shami's caliber and finesse, they would be up against a very tough task.

#10 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm chinaman has grown by leaps and bounds since his international debut in the Border-Gavaskar series of 2017, which was held in Indian conditions. While he hasn't received many opportunities in the Test arena, the upcoming series could offer just what is needed by the UP lad to cement his place in the Test XI for future overseas contests.

As of now, the 23-year-old has managed to affect 19 scalps in 5 Tests, and there's a strong possibility that the numbers are going to witness a colossal jump by the time the series ends.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah would have to emulate his white-ball performances in the longer format if India are to clinch the much-coveted Test series. His red-ball exhibition would be of utmost importance to the Indian side in drawing first blood in the 4-match series.

In the six Tests he has played to date, the Indian spearhead has managed to inflict 28 dismissals. Looking at his performances in the past couple of months, the tour of Australia could boost his Test career by a significant margin.