The 2023 edition of Border-Gavaskar Trophy is yet to start but talks of pitch have already taken centre-stage.

The ground staff at VCA stadium in Nagpur has been preparing the pitch with some selective watering, leading to Australian media accusing the hosts of doctoring the strip.

However, Australia skipper Pat Cummins played down concerns about the Nagpur track on the eve of the opening Test.

"That's part of the challenge of playing away. Home teams want to win at home. In Australia, we're lucky we've normally got pace and bounce. Home match advantage, I don't think it's a terrible thing. It's another challenge and makes touring over here even harder when you know the conditions are custom-made for them," Cummins said in the pre-match presser.

The Australian captain refused to unveil the final XI, but Peter Handscomb's chances of being included in the batting line-up are high since the tourists don’t want too many left-handers.

“I think it is a factor over here. With so much traffic from the right-handers' bowling, at times there is a bit more out there for the left-handers," he stated.

Australia will be fielding a four-man bowling attack in the absence of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland will play as pacers while Nathan Lyon will lead the spin department. Ashton Agar and Todd Murphy are competing for the second spin-bowling option.

"I think he would be as prepared as he could be," Cummins said of the uncapped Murphy.

"He has been bowling beautifully in the nets over here. He has started really well for Victoria in first-class cricket. If he got the nod, he's got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with; he is ready. Everyone in the squad here has had really good preparation. Whoever we pick is 100 per cent ready to go," he added.

Pat Cummins believes toss may not be a big factor if the surface is a raging turner.

"I think we will bat," Cummins laughed. "I think when the conditions spin from day one, it is actually not. I think you have seen India is record. They win just as many games batting second as they do batting first. I think it can be overstated when the conditions do spin really quickly," he concluded.

Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

(With TOI/ANI Inputs)