The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will involve traditional rivals India and Australia, will commence on November 22, 2024, and conclude on January 7, 2025. This series marks a significant event and the most followed cricketing contest in the global calendar, capturing the essence of fierce competition and mutual respect that each team shows for the other.
Context:
India and Australia have cultivated a passionate rivalry over the years that culminates in some of the most thrilling matches that we have witnessed in recent times. From the historic 1986, ‘tied’ series to the more recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, both teams have never failed to display cricketing excellence and entice a significant population garnering skyrocketing viewership. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was introduced in 1996, symbolizing the competitiveness between both nations.
What is at Stake:
The series comes at a critical juncture for both the teams. India enters the series with a humiliatingly disappointing, 0-3 defeat at the hands of New Zealand. The team wants to rebound and secure their position in the World Test. Championship(WTC) final. India must secure a daunting 4-1 victory over Australia to secure a guaranteed spot in the WTC final.
Australia, on the other hand, will push hard to regain dominance in this rivalry after losing the last four Border-Gavaster Trophy series. With Pat Cummins at the helm, Australia will aim to put brakes on India’s winning streak at the down under.
Key Players and Squad:
India:
- Rohit Sharma will miss the first test due to paternity leave.
- Mohammed Shami is not 100% fit and Shubhman Gill has a thumb fracture.
- Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
Squad:
Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Rohit Sharma(C), Sarfaraz Khan, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel(Wk), KL Rahul(Wk), Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Prasidh Krishna, Yash Dayal
Australia:
- Australia will be starting the series with full strength.
Squad:
Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Alex Carey(Wk), Josh Inglis, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins(C), Scott Boland
Match Schedule:
- 1st Test: November 22-26, 2024 at Perth Stadium, Perth
. Start Time: 7:50 AM(IST), 10:20 AM(Local)
- 2nd Test: December 6-10, 2024 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
. Start Time: 11:00 AM(IST), 2:30 PM(Local)
- 3rd Test: December 14-18, 2024 at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
. Start Time: 7:50 AM(IST), 10:20 AM(Local)
- 4th Test: December 26-30, 2024 at MCG, Melbourne
. Start Time: 8:00 AM(IST), 10:30 AM(Local)
- 5th Test: January 3-7, 2025 at SCG, Sydney
. Start Time: 8:00 AM(IST), 10:30 AM(Local)
Where to Watch:
Cricket aficionados can watch the action live on Star Sports Network.