The countdown for the first test match between India and Australia has already started. The much-awaited Test series will start on Thursday in Adelaide and it is going to be a day-night affair. The players are feeling the butterflies in their stomach and according to VVS Laxman, the former Indian batsman, the opening exchanges between the two teams are going to decide on how the Border-Gavaskar trophy is going to pan out.

The exchanges in the white ball have ended on an even note as Australia won by a margin of 2-1 in the ODI series and India won by the same scoreline in the T20I encounter. But the biggest examination for the players is going to be the switch to test cricket as they are going to go through it over next month. The most challenging question paper will come first as they will lock horns for a day-night test match first up.

Laxman has spoken to media outlets and said that India is a confident bunch who can derive the confidence from their series victory in the last time the two teams met for a test series and they will pretty much showcase the same brand of cricket. There is a unique challenge in the Adelaide test as it is going to be a day-night affair with pink-ball cricket overseas.

A solitary test is played by India under lights but their opposition Bangladesh could not live up to the challenge. The test match was hosted at Eden Gardens in Kolkata last year and India won the match with still a day to go.

Laxman further added that the previous day night’s test victory in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India was barely tested by Bangladesh. Australia has got far greater exposure to innovation and they are going to be tough opposition. But this Indian side is very competent as they can compete hard and rise to the occasion.

It has been reckoned by the former test specialist that a good start is going to be the key to do well throughout the length of the series because India is going to miss the batting of Virat Kohli after the test in Adelaide.

The Indian captain is going to go back home for the birth of their first child and will be with his wife.

It has been opined by VVS Laxman that the start on the first day of the series is crucial whether it is with the bat or the ball as it will set the tone for what follows more so because Virat Kohli will be returning home after this test match.

Laxman wants to see K L Rahul at the top and opening the batting with Mayank Agarwal. Prithwi Shaw gave average performances in the practice matches and Shubman gill has expressed his willingness to take up the challenge as well to open the batting for India.