Border-Gavaskar Showdown: India and Australia's Epic Test Rivalry
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- November 21, 2024
- 2:48 pm
- 18
- Sports
India heads into a five-Test showdown against Australia starting on Friday wounded by their first home series loss in 12 years and with a point to prove. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has grown to challenge the Ashes as cricket's number one rivalry, with numerous discussions questioning its rising prominence.
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist believes the game's fascination has been fuelled by India's decade of success. "It's a huge build-up and a fantastic rivalry," he said. "There are a few guys in this Australian group that have never beaten India in a series."
are a few guys in this Australian group that have never beaten India in a series." The spotlight naturally falls on Virat Kohli, whose recent performances have raised questions about his Test career. Deep Dasgupta, a former India Test cricketer, suggests Kohli needs to rediscover his mental edge. "Mentally, he was always up for a challenge," Dasgupta said. "Last year hasn't been that great for Virat. I don't see that side. He seems a lot calmer."
India come into the series under significant pressure after a chastening 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand. The team carries the burden of fervent expectations, with senior players like Rohit Sharma (37), Ravichandran Ashwin (38), and Ravindra Jadeja (35) potentially playing their last series together in Australia.
"The conversation has moved rapidly in the last month and a half with the senior players," Dasgupta noted. "Before the Indian season, the talk was they will decide. They still have a few years left. The conversation has moved to 'We need to look beyond them now' – and the talk now is that this could well be Rohit's last series as a captain."
Australia haven't played a Test since March and have their own challenges. The only uncapped squad member, 23-year-old Nathan McSweeney, is the only player in their expected starting XI younger than 30. The hosts are still searching for a replacement for retired opener David Warner, with uncapped South Australia captain McSweeney getting the nod after a "bat-off" in recent Australia 'A' games.
The bowling battle could be the series' defining factor. Australia's core group of quicks – Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc – alongside spinner Nathan Lyon remain a formidable force. For India, Jasprit Bumrah will be the spearhead, but the team's fast-bowling experience in Australia remains limited.
"These are pitches which should suit the Indian batters," Dasgupta said. "You know you can hit through the line once you're set, ball coming on to the bat, not much lateral movement. There are question marks about Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal."
The World Test Championship adds extra stakes. Australia needs to win five of their remaining seven Tests to secure a place in the June decider at Lord's. India must win the series at least 4-0 to maintain their championship hopes.
Gilchrist expects the potential battle between Rishabh Pant and Nathan Lyon could be a key factor, along with middle-order performances. "Batting, possibly for both teams, is where it fluctuates," he said. "Neither team has consistently put together strong group batting performances."
An Indian side with a prolonged period of success but bruised by recent failure takes on an Australian team hungry to regain the upper hand at home. With encouraging memories of victory in last year's World Cup and World Test Championship final, Australia feels confident.
Cummins is direct about the challenge: "We've lost the (last) two series against them, so this is a big one. We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well."
Expect a series that will be more than just cricket with the hopes of qualifying for the final of the World Test Championship on the line for both teams.
