Anticipation is building as Australia and India gear up for the highly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australian captain Pat Cummins has expressed that he believes the upcoming series will be a fiercely competitive showdown, with both teams having equal chances.
“The most recent Test match was, of course, the World Test Championship in neutral conditions, and we came out on top in that match,” said Cummins during an interview with Star Sports, reflecting on Australia’s most recent success. “It’s always fiercely competitive, and it always feels like it’s 50-50. I’m 10 out of 10 excited for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”
Cummins acknowledged that Australia has fallen short in their last two home series against India and emphasized the importance of making amends this time around. “The last two series here in Australia, we haven’t been successful, so it’s been a long time. Hopefully, it’s time to make amends. You know, we’ve played them plenty of times where they’ve beaten us, but we’ve also had plenty of wins against them as well, which we’ll draw confidence from,” he added.
India presently holds the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having clinched victories in the previous home and away series. Australia, on the other hand, last secured the trophy in the 2014-15 season.
Australia’s seasoned batsman, Steve Smith, also shared his thoughts on the series. “It’s going to be a great series. You know, India have been playing outstanding cricket. We’ve been playing really good cricket the last couple of years. You know, we haven’t beaten India in the last two times they’ve come out here. Obviously got a terrific side, very well-balanced team, all bases covered.”
Smith acknowledged India’s strong performances both in Australia and on home soil, noting how formidable they are whether at home or away.
. “So, you know, they’ve played really good cricket out here. They’ve played good cricket when we’ve been over in India as well, where we know they’re very, very difficult to beat. So it’s going to be a big summer. It’s going to be an exciting one. And yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Adding to the excitement, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc emphasized the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in comparison to the Ashes. “For Australian cricket, you’ve got the Ashes and then you’ve got the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in there,” Starc commented. “I mean there’s a long history in the Ashes but that Border-Gavaskar rivalry, if you like, has just grown from strength to strength over each series and now we see it as a five-Test match series which is fantastic for not only the rivalry but for the series as well.”
Starc further highlighted the caliber of players and matches in the series, expressing his anticipation for the thrilling contests that lie ahead. “Whether it’s the calibre of player, the calibre of matches that we see as fans and as cricketers just continues to grow strength on strength each series and now India obviously winning a number of series in a row, it’s created even a bigger rivalry between the two countries. I mean both teams are well known to one another, we play each other very often across the formats so I’m sure it’ll be another exciting series but one I think that both experienced sides will showcase some fantastic cricket.”
The highly anticipated five-Test series kicks off in Perth on November 22. Following the inaugural match, the second Test will be held in Adelaide from December 6, marking the famous pink-ball Test. The teams will then move to the Gabba for the third Test starting December 14. The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the MCG, starting December 26. The series will conclude with the final Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3 to 7.
Cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a fascinating series. As both teams prepare for a gruelling battle, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues to stand as one of cricket’s most celebrated and fiercely contested competitions.