Australia’s cricket captain Pat Cummins believes that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will be hotly contested, rating the chances as an even 50-50 between the two sides. Cummins’ excitement for the series is palpable, as he emphasized the fierce competitive spirit that always accompanies these matches.
Reflecting on the past, Cummins shared his thoughts with Star Sports, remarking, “The most recent Test match was, of course, the World Test Championship in neutral conditions, and we came out on top in that match. 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.”
Australia’s recent performances against India have been less than stellar, particularly in home Test series, with their last series win coming during the 2014-15 season. Cummins acknowledged this gap in their record and expressed a strong desire to turn the tide. “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 said.
India currently holds the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having triumphed in both the last home and away series against Australia. The stakes are high for the Australian team to reclaim the trophy and redeem their past shortcomings.
Adding to the anticipatory build-up, Australian star batsman Steve Smith echoed Cummins’ sentiments. Smith highlighted the caliber and form of both teams, suggesting the series would be an enthralling contest. “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. They’ve got a terrific side, very well-balanced team, with all bases covered,” Smith remarked optimistically.
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Smith also acknowledged India’s formidable performances on Australian soil, a testament to their resilience and adaptability. “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,” Smith concluded.
Adding to the conversations, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc underscored the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, placing it on par with one of cricket’s most historic rivalries, the Ashes. “For Australian cricket, you’ve got the Ashes, and then you’ve got the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in there. 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,” Starc contributed.
Starc further elaborated on the evolving dynamics of the Australia-India series, emphasizing how the increasing competitiveness has been beneficial for cricket as a sport. “The calibre of player and the calibre of matches that we see as fans and as cricketers just continue to grow strength on strength each series. Now India wins multiple series in a row, creating an even bigger rivalry between the two countries. 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. I think both experienced sides will showcase some fantastic cricket,” he added.
The five-Test series is set to kick off in Perth on November 22, wrapping up at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3 to January 7. The series itinerary includes significant matches: the pink-ball Test in Adelaide from December 6, the Gabba Test starting December 14, and the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). All these fixtures are keenly anticipated by fans and players alike, promising a feast of high-quality cricket.
As anticipation builds for this marquee series, both teams are gearing up to deliver thrilling cricket and uphold the storied legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Fans from both nations and around the world eagerly await this epic encounter, expecting nothing short of a series filled with unforgettable moments and fierce battles on the cricket field.