Australian captain Pat Cummins said “India bowled well on that first day and that got them back. They then batted well in the second innings. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, (K.L.) Rahul and (Virat) Kohli did well.”
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Pat Cummins had a smile that never reached his eyes. Losing captains often have to deal with a quick inquisition from the media once a match concludes and Cummins was trying to be as phlegmatic as he could at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday (November 25, 2024). “It does hurt but India played well,” the Australian skipper said.

From bowling out India for 150 and then watching the first Test slip from his grasp, Cummins had a lot to process internally: “India bowled well on that first day and that got them back. They then batted well in the second innings. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, (K.L.) Rahul and (Virat) Kohli did well.”

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Asked if some of his players would look for some game-time as the second Test will commence at Adelaide only on December 6, Cummins replied: “I think we will head home for a bit and may assemble in Adelaide a day earlier considering the Test here got over early. We will work on our plans then. At the beginning of this Test, we believed that this is the best team that we could have and I don’t think there will be too many changes.”

About the lack of runs from Marnus Labuschagne, Cummins said: “He has been working hard and yes he didn’t do that well but we all know what a threat he can be to bowlers.” The host captain was also quick to deny speculations over a rift between the bowlers and batters within the squad: “There have been times the batters have bailed us bowlers out. We are a tight group.”

Marnus Labuschagne. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

A shattering defeat to New Zealand on home soil would have caused a “little bit of damage” to India’s confidence, but Australia will not make the mistake of underestimating the visitors, said charismatic batter Marnus Labuschagne in Perth on Tuesday (November 19, 2024).

The world No. 2 India are heading into the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series, starting in Perth on Friday (November 22, 2024), following their whitewash at home, which ended their 12-year unbeaten run in their own backyard.

Australia’s middle-order mainstay Labuschagne believes the loss to the Kiwis would have dented India’s confidence.

“It’s really hard to judge. They played in completely different conditions—spindling conditions—but having India come here off the back of a loss at home is something that’s never happened before (in my career),” Labuschagne told the media.

“I think that is a good thing in terms of… they are probably a little bit lower on confidence, not coming off a Test victory, losing to New Zealand 3-0. I think that’s going to do a little bit of damage to their confidence,” he added.

However, Labuschagne insisted that Australia, who have lost each of their last four series to India both home and away, will have to guard against complacency.

“They’re a quality lineup, and they’re one of the best teams in the world. So you can never underestimate a team like that,” he said.

India staged an incredible comeback on their last Australia tour in 2020-21 to win 2-1, despite the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli and injuries to several other frontline players along the way.

“That’s what happened in 2021 — the likes of (T) Natarajan played, (Mohammad) Siraj got his first crack in Australia, Washington Sundar played,” Labuschagne recalled.

“They had all these guys that were probably a little bit new—Shubman (Gill) played those couple of games (in the 2020-21 series) – so there were new faces around,” he added.

With India set to take the field without regular captain Rohit Sharma and No. 3 batter Gill in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Labuschagne said India have enough talent in their ranks to meet all challenges.

“They’re a quality line-up, and they’ve shown that over a period of time. You can’t ever underestimate the depth of Indian cricket,” he said.

“Anyone that gets the opportunity to play for India has had to do a lot of hard work and find their way into that side… to actually play for a team like that, you have to be a very good player,” Labuschagne added.

Critics are questioning Virat Kohli’s place in the side, but Australia has often been a stage for his redemption. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, India’s star batter Virat Kohli reflected on his best knock in Australia, identifying his century during the 2018/19 series as his favourite.

Virat Kohli is a player often celebrated on Australian soil.

While his past performances have matched the hype, this series presents a make-or-break scenario for the superstar. He faces the dual challenge of regaining form and overcoming technical struggles while holding on to his spot in the Test side amid pressure from emerging talent poised to step into the playing eleven.

“My best knock in Australia is definitely my 100 at Perth in the 2018/19 series. I thought that was the toughest pitch I played on. It was great to get a 100 on that wicket,” Kohli said in a video shared by the BCCI.

However, the series comes at a time when Kohli is far from his best. In 19 international matches this year, the 80-time centurion has managed just 488 runs at an alarmingly low average of 20.33 with only two half-centuries in 25 innings and a top score of 76.

His decline in Test cricket has been particularly disheartening, as his current form contrasts sharply with the heights he achieved between 2016 and 2019.

During that period, Kohli amassed 4,208 runs in tests at an extraordinary average of 66.79, including 16 centuries, 10 fifties, and a record seven double centuries as a captain.

Since 2020, however, he has struggled in the longest format, scoring just 1,838 runs in 34 Tests at an average of 31.68 with only two centuries and nine fifties. His lean patch was further highlighted during this year’s home Test season against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he scored just 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33 with one fifty. This dip in form saw him drop out of the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings’ Top 20 for the first time in a decade.

Critics are questioning Kohli’s place in the side, but Australia has often been a stage for his redemption. It remains to be seen whether he can script another comeback in this series.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, a day-night match under lights, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18. The iconic Boxing Day Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30, leading to the series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7. The five-test series promises a thrilling contest and dramatic conclusion.

Australian captain Steve Smith (right) and Indian batter Virat Kohli. File photo.
| Photo Credit: V.V. Krishnan

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India draws close, Australian batter Steve Smith opened up on his bond with star India batter Virat Kohli, revealing that they often exchange text messages and pointed out the reason why his Indian counterpart is an “Australian.”

The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth.

Speaking about Virat, Smith said on Star Sports, “We get on quite well, and share messages now and again. Look, he is a great guy and a wonderful player. So, it will be nice to come up against him again this summer.”

Smith remarked that Virat is an Australian “in thoughts and action”.

“The way he gets into it all the way, and gets into the challenge and tries to get on top of the opposition. He is probably the most Australian of the Indian players, I would say,” he added.

On competing with Virat as a batter, Smith said that he does not think like that, rather, Australia’s success is paramount.

“There is no real, I need to beat him or anything like that. It is just about going out and playing and trying to score as many runs as I can and helping Australia have success. That is what it’s all about,” he added.

Smith and Virat are among the ‘Fab Four’ batters of the modern era, alongside England’s Joe Root and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson.

In 109 Tests, Smith has scored 9,685 runs at an average of 56.97, with 32 centuries and 41 fifties in 195 innings. His best score is 239. On the other hand, Virat has scored 8,848 runs in 113 Tests and 191 innings at an average of 49.15, with 29 centuries and 30 fifties. His best score is 254.

A heartfelt moment between the two tough rivals came during the 2019 World Cup, when Virat stopped the crowd from booing at Smith over the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ saga. Smith later appreciated the gesture and thanked the former Indian skipper for the same.

Virat’s Test record in Australia is prolific, scoring 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Tests, with six centuries and four fifties in 25 innings. His best score is 169. Overall in 25 Tests against Australia, he has scored 2,042 runs at an average of 47.48, with eight centuries and five fifties in 44 innings.

On the other hand, Smith is the ninth-highest run-getter in the BGT history. In 18 matches and 35 innings, he has scored 1,887 runs at an average of 65.06, with eight centuries and five fifties. His best score is 192.

The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium’s lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18.

The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage.

The fifth and final Test, taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest.

“Even someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but has not had to bowl heaps in Test matches,” Pat Cummins said.
| Photo Credit: AP

Australian skipper Pat Cummins said that the bowling workload of all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh will be raised more during the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India at home later this year, with an aim to help the mainstay trio of Cummins-Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood sustain themselves throughout what promises to be an intense battle.

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) will commence with the first Test – a day match – at Perth Stadium from November 22 to November 26, setting the tone for the series. India has won its last two series in Australia, held in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

In the last season, Australia played an unchanged frontline bowling attack for seven Tests against Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand. None of these matches reached the fifth day and only in three innings, Australia had to bowl more than 78 overs. These factors kept Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc fresh and active for the entirety of the season.

Green provided Australia with an additional pace bowling option when he returned during the West Indies series, but only bowled 42 overs across the next four Tests, playing mainly as a number four batter when Steve Smith moved up to the opening slot following David Warner’s retirement.

“It has been huge having the allrounders. In some ways, we have not had to use them as much as we thought we would. Which is a great thing. The last couple of summers have been pretty light [with] quick Test matches,” said Cummins as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“I suspect this summer might be a bit different at time. We will be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more. Even someone like Cam basically started in Shield cricket as a bowler but has not had to bowl heaps in Test matches. Now he is a few years older, I think we will be leaning on him a bit more,” he added.

Green has taken 35 wickets in Tests at an average of 35.31 and has a five-wicket haul as well. The young all-rounder was moved into the number four slot and has scored a magnificent 174 against NZ at Wellington to showcase what he could offer there. For the BGT series, there seems to be uncertainty about Australia’s top six, with Smith being largely underwhelming as an opener for the past few months. But it is more or less fixed that Marsh and Green will be a part of the top six.

Cummins said that these two all-rounders making it into the top six on the basis of their batting alone is a “luxury”. “The first point is they both absolutely make the top six on their batting alone which is a luxury. We are really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls plenty of overs, so you do not necessarily have to have an allrounder, but it makes a big difference to have that fifth bowling option. And with someone like Cam and Mitch, we have six bowling options. It is a really nice thing to have. The top six should always make the team on their batting.”

On being complimented by his teammates for managing their workloads well, Cummins said, “It is nice of them to say that, they would never say it to my face. When I am at the top of their mark asking them to do something, they know I am also doing it down the other end and would not ask for something I cannot do myself. Maybe there is a bit of built-up trust over the last decade or so,” he concluded.

The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium’s lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18.

The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage.

The fifth and final Test, taking place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest.