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India Will Miss This ‘Not Exciting’ Player Australia. As cricket fans gear up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia, As cricket fans gear up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia, two of the game’s modern giants, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, are set to take center stage. Australian legend Matthew Hayden believes both Kohli and Smith are eager to leave a significant mark on this series, where runs will be hard-earned and could determine the outcome of the matches.
Hayden, one of the finest openers of his era, emphasized the importance of Kohli and Smith in shaping the series. “Cricket is a game of momentum, and both players, now entering the later stages of their careers, will be determined to dominate the summer. That’s their nature,” Hayden remarked during the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards on Wednesday. Despite their contrasting styles, both players have consistently demonstrated their ability to influence games and lead their teams from the front.
The series, starting November 22 in Perth, marks the first five-Test encounter between India and Australia since 1991-92. This historic contest brings with it immense pressure and excitement, with both teams evenly matched on paper. “It’s difficult to pick which team has the edge,” Hayden admitted. “I sense that runs will be the key difference. Players like Cheteshwar Pujara, who was so reliable in Australian conditions, have retired, leaving a gap that both teams will need to fill.”
Hayden’s reference to Pujara, alongside other Indian greats like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, underscores the significance of reliability in such high-stakes series. These players, though not always the most flashy, were incredibly effective in Australian conditions, consistently delivering when it mattered most. Their absence leaves a void that current players will need to step up and fill, with runs likely to come at a premium.
Australia, on the other hand, is hungry to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having last won a bilateral series against India in 2014-15. “We haven’t had the trophy in our hands for two series in Australia,” Hayden noted, highlighting the importance of this series on home soil. The last time Australia lost two consecutive series at home was during the 2001 series under Steve Waugh, a time when Australia was nearly unbeatable in their own backyard Matthew Hayden.
This series isn’t just about retaining or winning a trophy; it’s about establishing supremacy between the top two teams in the World Test Championship. Hayden emphasized that true greatness is judged not by how well a team performs at home, but how they fare in challenging conditions abroad. The Border-Gavaskar series offers a golden opportunity for both India and Australia to prove who truly deserves to be considered the best in Test cricket.
As the two teams prepare to clash, all eyes will be on Kohli and Smith, whose performances will likely dictate the direction of the series. Their battle, alongside the contest between bat and ball, promises to make this Border-Gavaskar series one of the most compelling in recent memory.
Summer of Anticipation: Cricket fever heats up early in Australia
As the Australian cricket summer looms, anticipation is building for what promises to be a fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar series against India. Key Australian players like Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood have already started discussing their strategies and the significance of this upcoming five-match Test series. Smith is contemplating his ideal batting position, while Lyon is targeting specific Indian players, including the young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Lyon’s talk of “10 years of unfinished business” and Hazlewood’s reference to the team’s failure to win a Test series against India in the last decade underscore the deep desire within the Australian camp to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
It’s been 10 long years since Australia last won a Test series against India, and during that time, India has triumphed twice on Australian soil. Smith, Lyon, and Hazlewood have been part of those losing squads, fueling their determination to change the narrative this time around. Even Pat Cummins, despite leading Australia to a World Test Championship (WTC) final victory over India, has yet to experience the satisfaction of a Test series win against them. For these players, the upcoming series is more than just a contest; it’s a chance to right the wrongs of the past decade.
Despite being mid-August, traditionally the offseason for cricket in Australia, the upcoming Test series has already generated significant buzz. Normally, at this time of year, Australian sports fans would be focused on the AFL season, discussing which teams will make it to the top eight and whether the Sydney Swans can maintain their momentum to win the premiership. Cricket usually takes a backseat during winter, with minimal attention given to the sport until the warmer months. However, the amount of discussion around this series suggests that this summer of cricket could be one of the most significant in recent memory.
This anticipation comes on the heels of a relatively quiet year for Australian cricket, following an intense winter schedule in 2023. The upcoming series against Rohit Sharma’s India, who will be aiming for a historic three-peat, is the highlight of the season. Australia’s cricketing authorities have also made long-term commitments to ensuring that the iconic Test venues will host memorable matches in the next three summers. The buzz is expected to intensify as the AFL season concludes and the Indian team arrives in mid-November, marking the start of what promises to be a captivating series.
As the Australian players continue to discuss their plans and strategies, it’s clear that they are not waiting for the traditional start of the cricket season to build momentum. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar series has already captured the imagination of players and fans alike, setting the stage for a summer of cricket that could be one of the most talked-about in modern history.
Nathan Lyon vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
Nathan Lyon has set his sights on young Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, a move that former Australian great Matthew Hayden believes is well-founded given Jaiswal’s growing status as a valuable asset for Indian cricket. Hayden expressed his excitement about the upcoming battle between the experienced Lyon, often referred to as the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), and the promising Jaiswal. “It’s shaping up to be a heavyweight bout, with Lyon targeting one of Indian cricket’s key assets. Jaiswal is certainly proving to be just that,” Hayden remarked.
Hayden praised Jaiswal’s ability to hit on the up through the covers, calling it a special skill, but he also noted that Jaiswal will need to make adjustments for the Australian conditions. “Jaiswal is an exciting prospect, particularly with his ability to drive through the covers. However, that skill can also be a vulnerability,” Hayden said.
He emphasized the challenges Jaiswal will face on Australia’s bouncier tracks and larger grounds. Hayden pointed out that while Jaiswal is known for his powerful hitting, including pull shots, these will be tested by Australia’s world-class pace attack. “On bigger grounds, it has to be the perfect contact for the ball to sail over for a six. Otherwise, you risk getting caught short of the boundary,” Hayden explained. He expressed confidence that Jaiswal, like other world-class players, will make the necessary adjustments to succeed in these challenging conditions.
Extremely hungry to turn things around against India – Lyon
As Australia gears up for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India at home in November, champion spinner Nathan Lyon has set his sights firmly on reclaiming the trophy. The 36-year-old veteran is acutely aware of the challenge that lies ahead, especially given Australia’s recent struggles against India, having lost two consecutive home Test series to the subcontinental giants.
Reflecting on this decade-long struggle, Lyon emphasized the team’s determination to reverse their fortunes against India. “It’s been 10 years of unfinished business, and we’re extremely hungry to turn things around, especially here at home,” Lyon said. He acknowledged India’s prowess, calling them a “superstar side” but reiterated his focus on bringing the trophy back to Australia.
Despite these setbacks, Lyon is confident that Australia is better prepared this time around. “We’re a different team compared to a few years ago. We’re on a journey to becoming a great Australian cricket team. We’re not there yet, but we’ve been playing some decent cricket,” Lyon asserted.
The upcoming series will also present a new challenge for Lyon and his teammates in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian opener who recently had a breakthrough series against England. Jaiswal’s performance, where he amassed 712 runs in nine innings, has caught Lyon’s attention. “I haven’t faced him yet, but it will be a massive challenge for all of us. I watched his innings against England closely and was quite impressed,” Lyon said, adding that he has been gathering insights from other players, including England’s Tom Hartley, on how to approach Jaiswal.
While the immediate focus is on regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Hazlewood also highlighted the importance of working towards Australia’s second successive World Test Championship final. Missing out on the last final against India in 2023 due to injury has only fueled Hazlewood’s desire to make it this time. “The WTC is always in the background, and we keep track of where we stand. It’s a big one for me because I didn’t get to play the last final, so that’s something I’m really aiming for,” he said.
As Australia prepares for the series starting November 22 in Perth, the anticipation and stakes have never been higher. With key players like Lyon and Hazlewood leading the charge, Australia is determined to end their decade-long wait and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India.
