The Australian team will tour India for the four test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on 9th February. The Australian team hasn’t won any Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India yet since this series started, and under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, they will try to end the drought. The form of the Kangaroos at home has recently been overwhelming; they have won the test series against the West Indies and South Africa. However, Kangaroos have almost made their place in the World Test Championship 2021-23.
The Indian pitches are the best for the spinners, and that’s why Kangaroos have picked four specialist spinners, including Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson, and Todd Murphy. However, if the skipper needs extra attack, they have experienced part-timers Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head.
Looking at the upcoming series, former Aussies skipper Adam Gilchrist, the last skipper under which Kangaroos won the test series on Indian soil, advised the Australian skipper before his national team left for India.
“What we tried to change with our mentality back then – and I’d be interested to see if the Australians do it this time – is don’t go searching and just rolling spinners out there,” Gilchrist was quoted.
Further, Gilchrist explained that Pat should attack the stump from the first ball. Swallow the pride and be defensive about being aggressive and suggest other options too, which may Kangaroos use against India.
“Attack the stumps right from ball one. Swallow your pride a bit, and be defensive about being aggressive. Start with one slip, start with a catching mid-wicket, put fielders out on the boundary to nullify the boundary option, but keep a couple of catchers in place either at the short cover or short mid-wicket and be patient,” he further added.
Adam Gilchrist shared his thoughts on the upcoming series and said the Australian team could win the series because they have the perfect XI and a lot of similarities to 2004, when Australia won the test series against India by 2-1 in India.
“I think they’ll win the series. I think they’ve got a squad and final XI that will have a lot of similarities to the team we rolled within 2004,” former skipper and wicketkeeper batter added.
