With the eagerly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, Australian captain Pat Cummins has expressed his belief that the showdown between Australia and India will be a 50-50 contest. Cummins, eager for redemption, took a trip down memory lane to highlight the competitive nature of past encounters and the drive to overturn recent disappointments.
“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,” the Australia captain told Star Sports.
Remarking on Australia’s struggles in the last two series held at home, Cummins reflected on the resilience and determination required to succeed. “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, currently holding the coveted trophy, has bested Australia in both home and away series, with Australia’s last trophy victory dated back to the 2014-15 season. Cummins and his men are on a mission to reverse this trend.
Adding his voice to the buzz, Australian vice-captain Steve Smith emphasized the quality and balance of the Indian side, while also underlining Australia’s strong run over the past couple of years. “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 obviously have a terrific side, very well-balanced team, all bases covered,” Smith said.
Reflecting on India’s past performances on Australian soil, Smith pointed out the challenges his team faces. “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,” he added. The anticipation builds as both teams prepare to face off in what promises to be an electrifying series.
Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc weighed in with his assessment of the stature and history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For him, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the storied Ashes series. “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 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 remarked.
Starc emphasized the evolution and the increasing intensity of the matches between these two cricketing giants. “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,” he added.
The five-Test series kicks off in Perth on November 22 and promises an exhilarating journey through Australia’s iconic cricket venues. The series features stops at Adelaide for the pink-ball Test (commencing December 6), Brisbane for the clash at the Gabba (starting December 14), Melbourne for the traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG, and concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (from January 3-7). Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are keenly awaiting every ball, boundary, and wicket.
With high stakes and historical grit defining the rivalry, cricket fans can expect nothing short of a mesmerizing contest. Cummins, Smith, and Starc’s insights have set the stage for a battle that will etch new chapters in the storied legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams are bracing for a summer that promises to deliver thrilling cricket and unforgettable moments.