As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 nears, Australian captain Pat Cummins has his sights set on reclaiming the title that has eluded his team for a decade. Despite his significant achievements as captain, including winning the ODI World Cup, the Ashes, and the World Test Championship, Cummins is eager to bring the BGT back to Australia. With India having claimed the trophy four consecutive times since 2014-15, this series represents an important milestone for Cummins and his team.
India’s Dominance in the BGT
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket, with India dominating the series over the past decade. Out of the last four BGT series, two have been played in India and two in Australia, with India emerging victorious in each. Most notably, the 2021 series saw India create history with a dramatic comeback to win the series in Australia, a feat that boosted their reputation on the world stage. Since then, the Indian team has maintained an impressive record, making it the only team that Australia has not been able to defeat in its last 16 Test series.
This historical streak adds even more weight to the 2024-25 series, as Cummins and his team prepare to host India on Australian soil. For Cummins, winning this trophy at home would not only be a personal achievement but would also mark a significant moment in Australian cricket.
The Upcoming BGT Series: Schedule and Match Venues
The BGT 2024-25 will kick off on November 22, with the first Test set in Perth. The five-match series will run through January 7, 2025, covering major Australian cities. Here’s a quick look at the schedule:
- 1st Test – Nov 22-26, 2024, Perth – 7:50 AM IST
- 2nd Test – Dec 6-10, 2024, Adelaide – 9:30 AM IST
- 3rd Test – Dec 14-18, 2024, Brisbane – 5:50 AM IST
- 4th Test – Dec 26-30, 2024, Melbourne – 5:00 AM IST
- 5th Test – Jan 3-7, 2025, Sydney – 5:00 AM IST
With a lineup of well-known Australian venues, the series promises a competitive edge, especially with Cummins’ commitment to leveraging home-ground advantages.
Cummins’ Take on Facing India
Speaking at a recent event for his book launch, Cummins emphasized the significance of defeating India, especially on home soil. “Winning the Test series against India is something I want to add to my name,” he said. For Cummins, this goal isn’t just about personal accomplishment; he sees it as an expectation from Australian cricket fans who look forward to seeing their team perform strongly at home. Cummins is prepared to lead his team with a strategy focused on maintaining pressure on India, which, he believes, has worked effectively in past series.
India’s Preparation and Squad
The Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for a challenging tour. The 2024-25 BGT will see a blend of experience and fresh talent, with several young players potentially debuting under the guidance of Coach Gautam Gambhir. Among the squad, India will miss Mohammed Shami, who hasn’t recovered fully from his injury, although he may join later under special conditions if fit. Here’s a look at the Indian squad:
Indian Team for BGT 2024-25:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain), Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khalil Ahmed.
Cummins’ Strategy Against Key Indian Batsmen
Cummins is aware of India’s strong batting lineup, including star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, both Rohit and Kohli have faced challenges scoring runs recently, especially in the last few matches against New Zealand on home soil. Cummins sees this as an opportunity, stating that playing against a team under pressure could work in their favor. “Whenever a team is under pressure, it’s an advantage,” he explained, adding that the key to success would be to keep up the pressure on India throughout the series.
Why This Series Holds Extra Importance for Australia
For Australia, this series is more than just a competition for a trophy. The team’s past two BGT losses on home soil have placed additional pressure on Cummins to reclaim the title. However, the current Australian lineup looks strong, and Cummins believes they’re in a good position to perform. He expressed confidence in his team’s form, noting, “There doesn’t seem to be any reason why we can’t do well this time.”
As the series approaches, cricket fans around the world await a thrilling face-off between two of the sport’s best teams. For Pat Cummins, winning the BGT on home soil would not only mark the end of a decade-long drought but would also solidify his legacy as one of Australia’s most accomplished captains.
