Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australia’s strengths and weaknesses going into the series | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia seek to avoid a third consecutive series defeat against India on their home soil. Whereas India, in a bid to change their fortunes, enter the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with renewed determination following their disappointing 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand at home, marking their first Test series loss in home conditions since 2012.
The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia kicks off on November 22 with the opening Test in Perth.
The action then shifts to Adelaide Oval for the second Test, set to run from December 6 to 10, featuring the thrilling day-night format under lights. From there, the series moves to Brisbane’s Gabba for the third Test, scheduled from December 14 to 18.
The iconic Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground will take center stage from December 26 to 30, marking the penultimate chapter of the series.
Finally, the Sydney Cricket Ground will host the fifth and decisive Test from January 3 to 7, setting the stage for a gripping finale to what promises to be a blockbuster contest.
Strengths
Australia’s key strength in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy lies in their world-class bowling attack. With the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood forming a formidable pace trio, they can exploit any conditions with sheer skill and consistency. Adding to the mix is the ever-reliable Nathan Lyon, one of the most successful spinners against India, who thrives in Australian conditions.
Hazlewood and captain Cummins both feature in the top 10 of the ICC bowler rankings, alongside spinner Nathan Lyon, with left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc just outside at 11th.
Starc and Hazlewood, a lethal combination of left-arm swing and precise seam bowling, are on the brink of a milestone. They need just two more wickets to become the first Australian new-ball duo to claim 400 wickets together.
Australia emerged victorious in their clash with India during last year’s World Test Championship final. This series carries significant stakes, especially for India, as it could heavily influence the lineup for next June’s title showdown at Lord’s.
Weakness
Australia’s primary concern lies with their top-order, which has been struggling for form. Usman Khawaja, likely playing his final home series, will be joined by debutant Nathan McSweeney as a makeshift opener in Perth.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have also been below their usual standards, while Mitchell Marsh has yet to pose significant challenges to Indian bowlers. This places the onus on Travis Head, who has been a persistent troublemaker for India recently, and the reliable wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, to steady the top-order.
Adding to Australia’s woes is the memory of their recent home defeat to a modest West Indies side, which laid bare significant vulnerabilities in their batting lineup.
Touring Australia has never been a walk in the park for India. Whether it was Melbourne in 1980-81, Perth in 2007-08, or Brisbane in 2020-21, India has shown remarkable resilience, striking back fiercely when the odds seemed insurmountable. The Australians are well aware of the grit this Indian side possesses, having experienced it twice on home soil not too long ago.