Aus vs Ind 2018-19: 5 Points that will decide the second Test 

#2 The Pitch

The Perth stadium had only played host to one first class game

This being the first-ever Test at the Perth Stadium, raises questions over how the pitch will perform.

The one Sheffield Shield game the ground has hosted, was a low-scoring affair between Western Australia and New South Wales. The game took place soon after Australia's Test squad for the first two games was announced, and had the game been played earlier, the squad would likely have been different, since Jhye Richardson's exceptional 8/47 in the first innings would probably have earned him a call-up.

Richardson, a contender for the quickest bowler that Australia has, showed that the pitch can offer pace bowlers some aid. But Nathan Lyon's seven-wicket haul in that match should also not be overlooked.

Australia's coach Justin Langer claims that the ODIs and T20Is played at this venue suggest the pitch will have some pace. But preparations for a five-day game are very different.

Also adding uncertainty over how the pitch will play, is the fact that the Perth Stadium uses a drop-in wicket. These have become commonplace in Australian cricket over the past few years, as they make it easier for the grounds to accommodate the Australian Rules games played in the winter.

However, drop-in pitches have not tended to produce great cricket. While the Adelaide Oval seems to have found a formula with their drop-in pitches that creates fantastic duels between bat and ball, many of the other drop-in pitches have been less successful.

This was seen as far back as India's last tour of Australia, where most of the pitches lacked pace and offered little for the batters. This was also the case in last season's Ashes series. While Australia's pace bowlers performed well, many of the pitches were far slower than what one would expect from an Australian pitch. They also offered little seam, and didn't deteriorate at the same rate as normal pitches, meaning spinners couldn't have a significant impact late in the game.

Australia would certainly be most comfortable with a hard, quick wicket. Added to the fact that it is something their batsmen and pace bowlers are used to, the exceptional ability of Nathan Lyon to exploit bounce would be an advantage. On the other hand, India's pace bowlers would probably enjoy such a pitch themselves. Jaspit Bumrah may particularly thrive on such a wicket, with his pace and skidding action very similar to Jhye Richardson's.