Former India head coach and cricket pundit Ravi Shastri said Australia’s pride has taken a significant hit with back-to-back home Test series losses against Team India and so they will be hungry to take fierce revenge in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
With the first Test scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22, Shastri predicted that the Australian cricket team will fire all guns blazing to bring the Indian cricket team to its knees as they have not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for almost a decade.
Ravi Shastri predicts a high-octane battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
The Kangaroos are known for their formidable pace attack and the former India head coach said they will look to unleash their full fury against India’s top-order batsmen during the upcoming five-match Test series at home, with legendary spinner Nathan Lyon set to play a major role.
Notably, India registered a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia, retaining the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from Australia since their 2-0 series win at home in early 2015. In 2019, the Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team secured a 2-1 Test series win.
The 2020-21 tour was particularly spectacular, with India pulling off a remarkable comeback triumph to win the Test series 2-1 and regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, Australia managed to get revenge by defeating India in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval last year.
Well, Shastri admitted that Pat Cummins and his team are now keen to regain the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time at home. He predicted that both teams will fight intensely for the prestigious trophy later this year.
Shastri has warned India that Australia has one of the best all-round bowling attacks and they will aim to get 20 wickets to beat the tourists in the upcoming five-match Test series.
Australia will want revenge on India: Shastri
With every session promising to be a test of stamina, strategy and skill in the high-stakes Test series, the former Indian coach feels it won’t be easy for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time on Australian soil.
Ravi Shastri said on the ICC podcast: “We know what Australia will want (revenge). They will be thirsty; they will look to attack the Indians because they have been defeated there (in Australia) twice. The attack is almost the same.”
Shastri further noted: “One of the best fast bowling attacks…[one of the greatest] “A complete attack when you add Nathan Lyon, in a long, long time. And one of the best in the history of the game. They will be looking for those 20 wickets, match after match, to help Australia win the series.”
The former Indian captain also predicted that the upcoming Test series will feature a fascinating clash between India’s batsmen and Australia’s fast bowlers. The focus will also be on India’s bowling line-up, which includes key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
Adding to the strong side are Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with some solid backup options. The commentator added that there is a lot of anticipation for this series and many are excited to see if India can secure a third consecutive series win in Australia.