AMEY KULKARNI has the unenviable task of whittling down both squads into a single team ahead of the four-Test series
India and Australia are braced to do battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in one of the most anticipated clashes on the Test calendar, across February and March.
Rohit Sharma's side have held the trophy since 2017 having won successive series in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21. The two sides first square off in Nagpur before the series moves to Delhi, Dharamshala and Ahmedabad.
And ahead of the Tests, The Cricketer has compiled a combined XI based on the players selected in both squads. Remember, it's just a bit of fun.
3,137 runs at 46.13
India's premier white-ball opener had to wait patiently for a run in the Test team but now firmly in place, and holding the captaincy on a permanent basis, he is among the first name on the team sheet.
It is at home where Rohit particularly excels. Seven of his eight centuries - including his top score of 212 - have been in familiar surroundings and an average of 73.33 makes him one of the prized wickets of the line-up.
8,132 runs at 46.29
It has been a lean few years for the left-hander but he partially closed the door on his critics with his third Test double-century against South Africa - more runs than he'd managed in the Sri Lanka and West Indies series combined.
Nevertheless, he remains a formidable presence at the top of the Australian order, establishing himself as the No.1 opener on either side of his 12-month ban. An aggressive left-hander who, perhaps bar Stuart Broad, has taken every Test bowler to the cleaners at some stage in their career.
David Warner endured a dry summer (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
3,195 runs at 59.43
Whatever you may think about the ICC rankings and the way they are compiled, there can be no doubting Labuschagne's status as the No.1 red-ball batter in men's world cricket.
There are few more committed players on the circuit; a dedicated professional who pledges to improve his game at every available moment. Ten centuries in 33 Tests is a formidable record but with a less-than-ideal record in Asia, his biggest test yet comes over the next few months.
8,119 runs at 48.90
Having rediscovered his best form with the bat against the white ball, Kohli will be eager to bring that into this four-Test series. Any reasonable observer would endorse his place in this XI, despite a recent downturn and a run of more than three years without a Test century.
His home record against Australia represents a blot on his copybook, registering just a single century and a fifty in 11 innings while failing to pass 15 in six of those. Against a depleted Aussie attack this might be the perfect opportunity to improve on that return.
8,647 runs at 60.89
Ominously for India, Smith's metronomic Test career is mirrored in his returns in India, having hit 660 runs at 60 in six Tests.
The New South Wales native has normalised the incredible and took little time to readapt to the rigours of international cricket since his ban from the sport.
After failing to reach three figures during the Ashes, he's registered hundreds against Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa and comes into the series off the back of successive centuries in the Big Bash League.
Ashwin will carry India's hopes (RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
633 runs at 39.56, 56 catches
In the absence of Rishabh Pant, there are not a glittering array of wicketkeepers to pick from.
Carey has only played 15 Tests but has settled well into a role that has become a problem position since the days of Brad Haddin. He will be making his red-ball debut in India, but his record in Asia of 268 runs at an average of 53.60 suggests he could make a success of the role.
The Adelaide Strikers man only played four innings during the summer Tests, making a hearty century against South Africa at the MCG.
460 wickets at 31.65
Lyon became the second off-spinner to pass through 450 wickets against West Indies during the home summer and at 35 is honing in on the magic 500.
If Australia have any ambition of returning home with a series win then Lyon will have to be at his very best in India, where he has 45 wickets at 30.58. Coupled with how the tourists play spin, his battle with Ashwin will be one of the defining features of the Tests.
449 wickets at 24.30; 3,043 runs at 27.41
Ashwin relishes playing against Australia - 50 wickets at 23.16 in eight Tests - and will likely be a menace again.
Hasn't always found himself guaranteed a place in the Test side on the road but at home, he is a vital figure and with five Test centuries and more than 3,000 runs, he is a genuine allrounder in these conditions.
Josh Hazlewood (DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
214 wickets at 21.25
The Australian captain is the ICC's No.1 Test bowler. Has led well in tricky circumstances since being parachuted into the role; retaining the Ashes, beating Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa and leaving Sri Lanka with a series draw.
Virtually the only thing missing from his international CV is a series win in India. The Adam Gilchrist-Ricky Ponting axis was at the helm the last time Australia won in this part of the world in 2004/05.
222 wickets at 25.83
Likely to have a watching brief for at least the first Test, Hazlewood remains a shoo-in for this XI and when fully fit is one of the best around regardless of conditions.
The right-arm seamer is one of the few bowlers who make their craft look effortless, even though injury continues to strike. Heads back to the sub-continent looking to improve on a record of 16 wickets in nine Tests.
216 wickets at 27.45
With Jasprit Bumrah out injured, Mitchell Starc, Mohammad Siraj and Umesh Yadav must make way for the experienced Shami whose skills at home and abroad see him complete the XI.
Fifth on the all-time list of wicket-taking India Test seamers, the 32-year-old is a versatile operator and can either move the ball prodigiously, keep to a tight line or limit scoring opportunities.
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