Mitchell Starc might miss the first test against India in the upcoming test series

The Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc might miss the first test against India in the next month’s test series. He said he might miss the first test, which will commence on the 9th of February, but he will try to gain his fitness for the second test. On the first day of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, Starc damaged his bowling arm's finger while trying to make a catch. 32-year-old Starc missed the third and final Test against the Proteas in Sydney due to a middle finger tendon separation

Starc quoted, "That's probably likely (I will miss the first Test). We'll see how we're placed at the end of the month,". He added, "Hopefully, I am there for the second Test if they want to play me. We'll see how the finger is."

The Aussie team lacks fast bowling options that can give some batting strength as medium-pace all-rounder Cameron Green is also injured by Anrich Nortje’s bouncer in the Melbourne test.

Josh Hazlewood will be available for the first test in Nagpur. It will be his only second test game in the Asian subcontinent after six years.

Hazlewood was in excellent form during the third Test match in Sydney against the Proteas, taking four wickets in the first innings to force the visitors to bat again. However, the bad weather caused the game to conclude in a tie.

Hazlewood's status for the Nagpur Test has also been determined, according to Test captain Pat Cummins, who said he is a definite.

Cummins said on Monday, "No hesitation choosing (Hazlewood). You know what you'll get from his quality.

"On that Sydney pitch, getting four or five wickets is extraordinary. When Hazlewood bowled, he seemed menacing every time." Scott Boland, the Ashes star for Australia last year, is also a candidate for the third pacer position if Green is ruled out. However, Cummins said there would be no compulsion to choose three fast bowlers since Travis Head had provided him with a new option during the Sydney Test with some useful off-spin.

"In India, you choose two spinners. So you anticipate that the wicket will spin quite a bit, "said Cummins.

"Marnus (Labuschagne), Travis Head, and Smudge (Steve Smith). They all become more involved in it. But, typically, if you choose two spinners, you don't anticipate a long game," Cummins added.