Border-Gavaskar sequence is thought for fierce on-field battles between India and Australia cricketers. While performing underneath strain definitely raises the gamers’ profiles, failing towards their opponents attracts a number of flak. As the groups brace for the newest version of the BGT, it is time to have a look at a few of the most extremely anticipated battles over the following one-and-a-half months.
By Saurabh Kumar: “It’s a difficult place to win a Test match let alone a series so you know if we were able to topple that mountain that would be huge. I think if we can win in India that would be bigger than the Ashes.”
Test matches between India and Australia have all the time offered thrilling contests however star batter Steve Smith’s newest comment on iconic India vs Australia Test rivalry might in all probability be the right explainer of how aggressive, and charismatic is the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
The battle traces between the 2 Test rivals have been drawn by a few of the most illustrious figures of the sport however no different contest highlighted the depth of this rivalry greater than the Tendulkar-Warne face-offs. That duel is now a part of cricketing folklore.
If you might be studying this text and in case you are sufficiently old to keep in mind that well-known showdown between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne and the way the Indian maestro helped India dominate along with his domination over the best leg-spinner of all time, you’ll realise how vital these little battles throughout the struggle are.
The newest model of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which begins in Brisbane on February 9, guarantees some thrilling contests between people who might be essential to their crew’s possibilities of profitable the four-match sequence. Here are 5 battles to stay up for throughout the Test sequence.
R ASHWIN vs STEVE SMITH
Steve Smith, at present the most effective batters of spin on the planet, is unanimously considered the largest risk to the Indian crew. The star Australian batter simply loves batting towards India. He has eight centuries towards India, three of which have been scored in India.
On the opposite hand is India’s premium spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who enjoys outfoxing the Australians with the pink ball. If we check out the stats, Ashwin has performed 18 Tests towards Australia and brought 89 wickets, which is essentially the most for him towards a single Test-playing nation.
Ashwin might have mentioned that Axar Patel goes to be the largest trouble-creator for Steve Smith however it’s evident from previous information that the Indian off-spinner has a psychological edge over the in-form Australian.
Ashwin and Smith have come face-to-face in 24 Test innings with the Indian off-spinner having dismissed the previous Australian captain six instances. And one can say that no matter could also be the results of the battle between Ashwin and Smith, it might very properly resolve the course of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023.
VIRAT KOHLI vs NATHAN LYON
Virat Kohli might haven’t scored a Test hundred since 2019 however he has been on an amazing run with the bat because the Asia Cup 2022. Moreover, Kohli has an enviable Test file towards Australia because the star batter has scored 1682 runs at a median of 48.05, together with seven centuries and 5 half-centuries in 20 matches.
While India could also be pinning their hopes on Virat Kohli’s run with the bat, Australia has one potent weapon to counter him. And he goes by the identify Nathan Lyon. Only the third Australian to make the highest 5 checklist of main wicket-takers within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Lyon has picked 94 wickets in 41 innings at a median of 34.75 towards India.
Throughout the 2017 Test sequence, the 35-year-old posed a big risk to the Indian crew. He has a bonus over nearly all of India’s top-order batsmen, as evidenced by the variety of instances he has knocked them out in Tests. In reality, Lyon has bought the higher of Kohli the joint-most variety of instances (7) in Test cricket, with James Anderson. The Australian spinner, nevertheless, has essentially the most dismissals towards Kohli amongst spinners.
PAT CUMMINS vs ROHIT SHARMA
It’s time for the captain’s battle! Pat Cummins, the tireless pacer, has led his boys from the entrance and made Australia the formidable Test unit that they’re whereas Rohit Sharma, the skilled chief, is itching to comply with within the footsteps of his predecessor Virat Kohli and preserve the vacationers trophyless as soon as once more.
Having made his Test comeback in Ranchi six years in the past, Cummins is aware of a factor or two about Indian circumstances. However, for Cummins and his crew, overcoming Asia’s most troublesome problem stays the last word purpose as they appear to hold their kind in Test cricket to India. Australia haven’t received a Test sequence in India since 2004 and has solely received 4 Test sequence within the nation in three-quarters of a century of touring.
The strain might be extra on Rohit Sharma, whose period as a Test captain could possibly be temporary. And if this sequence towards Australia, the result of which determines India’s qualification for the World Test Championship closing, doesn’t go as deliberate, it might finish earlier than it has even begun. In reality, accidents compelled Rohit to take a seat out of eight of India’s earlier ten Test matches and all eyes can be pinned to see the all-format captain succeed within the red-ball sport.
USMAN KHAWAJA vs INDIA’S PACE ATTACK
Having simply received the inaugural Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award, Usman Khawaja goes via the purple patch of his red-ball profession. Khawaja is a seasoned campaigner who debuted in Tests in 2011 however has been on a dream run with the bat within the final 12 months.
In the earlier calendar 12 months, Khawaja scored 1080 runs at a median of 67.50. He demonstrated that he’s no pushover on subcontinent pitches in a three-match Test sequence towards Pakistan away from residence earlier final 12 months, scoring 496 runs from three Tests.
Khawaja is but to take part in a Test match in India. However, given his good new-ball and spin-playing abilities, the Australians might be relying on the left-hander to efficiently navigate gamers like Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel and supply his crew with robust begins.
CHETESHWAR PUJARA vs AUSTRALIA PACE ATTACK
Cheteshwar Pujara, the bulwark of India’s center order for a decade, was an integral a part of India’s back-to-back Test sequence triumph in Australia. While Pujara amassed 521 runs on the 2018-19 tour of Australia, he batted like a fighter for his 271 runs on the 2020-21 tour.
If we have a look at his total file towards Australia, Pujara has scored 1893 runs in 37 innings at a median of 54 and a strike price of 42. He additionally has 5 100s and ten fifties, with the best rating of 204. Pujara is just not identified for enjoying enticing knocks like Shubman Gill or Rishabh Pant however his resilience has all the time been efficient in terms of dealing with Australian pacers in red-ball cricket.
Meanwhile, Australia captain Pat Cummins, who dismissed Pujara 5 instances within the final sequence, and Josh Hazlewood, who dismissed the Indian star six instances in 2020-21, can be hoping to outfox India’s new wall and preserve him silent for the higher a part of the upcoming Border Gavaskar sequence and finish the drought of a Test sequence win in India.
Published On:
Feb 6, 2023
