Introduction
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar confidently predicts India will defeat Australia 3-1 in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India has won the last two series in Australia, in 2018/19 and 2020/21, and fans eagerly await the 2024/25 clash.
Gavaskar’s Bold Prediction
Gavaskar, known for his deep understanding of the game, believes that India has the upper hand in the upcoming series. He shared his thoughts in a column for Sunday Mid-day, confidently predicting a 3-1 victory for India. Gavaskar emphasized that the series will showcase why Test cricket is considered the ultimate format of the game.
“It’s going to be an exciting series for sure with the talent on both sides, and it will also show why Test match cricket is the ultimate format of our beloved game. Oh, and my prediction is a 3-1 win for India,” Gavaskar wrote.
Australia’s Batting Challenges
One of the key reasons behind Gavaskar’s prediction is Australia’s current batting lineup, which has been weakened by the retirement of David Warner. Warner, a left-handed opener, retired from international cricket earlier this year, leaving a significant gap in Australia’s batting order. Since his retirement, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja have taken on the opening roles, but they have struggled, averaging just 21.3 runs in seven innings.
Gavaskar pointed out that Australia’s batting issues could be exploited by the Indian bowlers. He noted that with Warner gone, Australia’s opening pair and middle order seem vulnerable, making them “ripe for the taking” by the Indian team.
The Importance of the First Test
The first Test will be vital, especially given India’s history of slow starts in overseas series in SENA countries. Gavaskar stresses that winning the first Test could set the tone for the rest of the series.
He notes that India’s lack of proper first-class games before the series and during week-long gaps between matches could be a challenge. However, this scheduling issue affects most touring sides today.
Mind Games Ahead of the Series
As the series approaches, the mind games between the two teams have already begun. Australian players, both current and former, have started making predictions about the series outcome, with some suggesting that Australia will win the trophy. Gavaskar advised the Indian team to be wary of these psychological tactics and encouraged them to remain focused.
“The five Test matches that India play at home before they go to Australia will be good for mental tuning. The mind games have begun, with Australian players airing their views about the result,” Gavaskar said.
He expressed disappointment that, apart from Ravi Shastri, no other Indian players have countered the Australian predictions.
Ashwin’s Role in the Series
Gavaskar concluded by suggesting that Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s key spinners, should start strategizing against Steve Smith, who may continue to open the batting for Australia. Gavaskar hinted that Ashwin could develop a special delivery to challenge Smith, especially if Smith manages to survive the pace of Jasprit Bumrah.
“Maybe Ravichandran Ashwin should start telling us about a special delivery that he is developing for Steve Smith, that is, of course, if he continues to open the batting and can survive Jasprit Bumrah,” Gavaskar quipped.
Conclusion
The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an intense and thrilling series, with both India and Australia eager to assert their dominance. Sunil Gavaskar’s prediction of a 3-1 victory for India has added to the anticipation, setting the stage for a fascinating battle between two cricketing giants. As the series unfolds, cricket fans around the world will be watching closely to see if Gavaskar’s bold prediction comes true. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
