THE big day is here. Australia has copped a lot of flak from India in the lead-up to the first Test in Pune. Former India superstar Harbhajan Singh has already called the series as a whitewash in the home side’s favour after naming Australia’s squad the “weakest side to tour India”. The first ball will be bowled at 3pm (AEDT). Follow our live coverage from the match at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune below.

2pm

Warne picks controversial XI

Mitchell Swepson is not expected to play in the series opener.

Mitchell Swepson is not expected to play in the series opener.Source:News Corp Australia

Shane Warne gave his pick for the first Test against India, and it included a number of interesting selections.

The 145-Test veteran snubbed the option of a third specialist pacemen in his hypothetical side, picking Nathan Lyon and debutant Mitchell Swepson for the dusty Pune wicket.

Warne included all-rounder Mitch Marsh in his XI to partner Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as a third seam option. Despite only scoring two half-centuries in his 31 innings for Australia, Marsh’s handy record against spin has brought him back into favour for selection over recent debutant Hilton Cartwright.

Warne’s spin-heavy unit included all-rounder Glenn Maxwell at number five, obviously included to combat India’s tweakers. Shaun Marsh also got the nod from the former leggie, placing him at the top of the order over the in form Matt Renshaw.

Test legend Michael Slater said earlier on Thursday that Warne had conned selectors into picking Swepson for the India Tour by being outspoken with his support for the 23-year-old.

Slater said the Australian selectors appear confused about how best to use its stock of leg-spinners across all three forms of the game after Adam Zampa’s impressive display against Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 International series.

“They’ve been confused with their spinners,” Slater told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.

“Last season they had (Cameron) Boyce in the one-dayers and it was Zampa in the T20s and then it was the other way around and now Swepson is over there right now.

“Warney was making a lot of noise before hand and I reckon Warney conned the selectors. They’ve got three young leggies running around and I think they’re confused who should be playing what and when.”

1pm

IPL teammates to square off in Pune

The pitbull.

The pitbull.Source:News Corp Australia

Bonds established during the Indian Premier League will be tested in 36C heat on Thursday, when Australia’s first Test against India starts in Pune. Battles for the Border-Gavaskar trophy are often tense affairs; some five players were slapped with misconduct fines during the most recent series in 2014-15.

In that regard, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there are any spats in the contest that starts at 3pm AEDT on Thursday.

However, the lead up to the much-anticipated series has been devoid of barbs or bombshells.

The closest Australia came to stirring the pot was Steve Smith last week publicly giving teammates a licence to “get into a battle verbally” during the four-Test series if it suited them to do so.

India batsman Ajinkya Rahane’s suggestion “Australian players play mind games” and that India are out “to dominate them in every aspect” is as hostile as the hosts have been during the past week.

Those comments came before India skipper Virat Kohli suggested every cricketer in the world should admire Mitchell Starc – and after countless Australians detailed their respect for Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The IPL may well have a lot to do with it.

Smith, Ashwin, Rahane, Mitch Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Usman Khawaja all played with Pune last year.

The top-ranked Test bowler in the world Ashwin refused to bowl offspin to Smith in the nets, instead sending down legbreaks.

But Handscomb and Rahane talked tactics after striking up a bond during the Twenty20 competition.

“I got along well with him and had a really good chat about batting in India and how he went about playing spin,” Handscomb said.

“I haven’t seen him yet (since landing in Pune for the first Test). “He’s a good man … I dare say I’ll catch up with him at some stage. “It was good to … get around a few of the Indian lads and just discuss how they play cricket in India because it’s so different to anywhere else in the world.” Kohli was effusive in his praise for Starc, but also spoke at length about how close he is to many Australian players.

“I’m really good friends with all these guys off the field, I know them really well,” Kohli said.

“We get along really well and on the field we’re professional enough to understand it’s going to be a competition.” Kolhi has a history of run-ins with Australians, having rowed with Smith in a T20 and Test at Adelaide Oval.

— AAP