The Border Gavaskar trophy. The series is another 2 months away. India have a series against Bangladesh and New Zealand whereas Australia have a short series in England. Yet, the series is already in focus for several Australian cricketers. Indian cricketers, except for Shastri and Gavaskar, hasn’t reacted to any of the statement made by the Australian players. What is the hurry? A lot of things might change in the intervening period. There could be injuries or loss of form. The Australians will have none of it. They have already started their mind games. It is what they specialise in before any important series. The players, mainly the former players, they talk up about the series and how the Australians will destroy their opponents.
Glenn McGrath who is often made to look like a fool because all he says is Australia 5, opponents, whoever it maybe, 0, has not said anything so far but you bet he will in the next few weeks. This is not a preview of the series but rather, let us take a pause till the beginning of November.
Who starts as the favourites? Australia ofcourse. Not just because they are playing at home but they won the last Test between the two teams in England during the WTC finals. It was a comprehensive victory. Does it mean that India are ripe for the taking? Not really. We still have the nucleus of the side that won in 2020. Jaiswal is an exciting youngster and Gill must find himself at home on Australian surfaces where the ball comes onto the bat. More of that in another blog closer to the series.
Rare domination
The Indian team finds itself in a position that is quite rare in the history of the game. 10 years of not surrendering a single series. I do not think that any other nation could claim this. Not even South Africa who during their purple patch of about 8 years, still lost to Australia in their own country but won in Australia.
Nathan Lyon starts off
Nathan Lyon is away in England playing in the English County Championship. He will be playing for Lancashire where he will pair with Tom Hartley, the English bowler, who came to India in February 2024 to play in a 5-Test series. Hartley has bowled to the likes of Jaiswal against whom Lyon hasn’t it. Hence, Lyon hopes to gain some insights into the batting of Jaiswal from Hartley. This is professional cricket and in the age of digital, the weaknesses of players can never really be hidden. You have video analysis of every game that can be scrutinised to study a player.
Yet, the traditional method of relying on someone who has played against a particular opponent can never be wished away. There is always that little bit extra that can be gauged from him. That is what Lyon intends to do because according to him, Ausralia have some unfinished business against India.
“It’s been ten years of unfinished business, it’s been a long time, and I know we’re extremely hungry to turn things around especially here at home,” Lyon said. “Don’t get me wrong, India is an absolute superstar side and extremely challenging but I’m extremely hungry to turn things around and make sure we get that trophy back.”
Lyon has been around for a very longtime. He has been part of wins against India. Yet, he feels that there is an unfinished business which goes onto show how highly does Australia value this series. Lyon is an excellent bowler and there is no doubt about that. With so much experience, he still wants to learn from a fellow cricketer which is fantastic.
Ricky Ponting’s prediction
Ricky Ponting has predicted that Australia will win the series 3-1.
“I’m obviously going to tip Australia to win and I’m never going to tip against Australia. There will be a draw somewhere and there will be some bad weather somewhere, so I’m going to say 3-1 to Australia.”
Indians, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar have gone the other way around and have predicted India to win 3-1. None of these players will ever say that their team will lose. It is understandable.
No reaction so far
The one good thing so far is that neither the current Indian players nor the team management has said anything about the series. It is actually sane. Let the Aussies indulge in the mind games and let us not get caught in the web. The Aussies have always been cocky. Remember the 4-0 jibe by Mark Waugh and the rest after the Adelaide loss? They eventually looked like stupid at the end of the series. That is what India must concentrate. We have a couple of series coming up against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Let us concentrate on winning every game rather than worry about a series in November.
I am not saying that we must not plan anything for the BG Trophy. Ofcourse, the series must be analysed and how to get each batsman out and how to bat against their bowlers must be planned right now. Just keep it inhouse. Do not mention anything to the outside world. Indians are experienced enough in Australian conditions except for Jaiswal. One worrying aspect is the lack of practice games ahead of the first Test. No one can deny the benefit of a couple of first class games. In 2020, we went there well in advance, played a couple of first class games which helped in the eventual series win.
Wrapping up the Border Gavaskar Trophy
The five Tests against India will also be key in shaping the race for the WTC final at Lord’s in June 2025 with Australia aiming to defend their title. India only needs to win the 5 Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand to confirm the spot in the final. That does not mean that the Australian series in meaningless. It needs to be won to prove a point.
Other blogshttps://icricketcritique.com/australian-tour-part-two-how-to-win/https://icricketcritique.com/a-youngsters-dream-finally-fulfilled-3/ https://icricketcritique.com/a-youngsters-dream-finally-fulfilled-2/ https://icricketcritique.com/a-youngsters-dream-finally-fulfilled-1/