Border-Gavaskar Trophy build-up: Top 5 comments to hype up the series from experts, players

The cricketing rivalry between India and Australia has reached its zenith in the last decade or so. While Australia were the undisputed kings of the early 2000s, it's India who have got the better of them in the last four Test series (both home and away).

The Aussies will be eager to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy in the upcoming five-match series when India travel Down Under later this year. While there is no doubt that the Aussies have a point to prove after losing back to back home series, the Indians will consider this as a massive opportunity to complete a hat-trick of series wins in Australia.

It was a historic turnaround from India during the 2020-21 tour of Australia after getting bowled out for just 36 in the first Test. Virat Kohli, their regular skipper, left the series midway to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, and it seemed all over for India. However, what transpired in the next three Tests was nothing short of a fairytale for Indian fans.

India won the second Test in Melbourne convincingly before battling it out for a draw in the third Test. With seven to eight frontline pacers not available for the final Test, India still managed to script a historic win on the back of a superb knock from Rishabh Pant in the final innings.

Following the heavy defeat in the first Test, several former players predicted a 0-4 defeat for the Indians but they were made to eat their own words. A similar verbal battle has already started with the five-match series still a fair way away.

Having said that, let us have a look at the top five comments to hype up the series.

# 1. Ricky Ponting backs Australia to win the series 3-1

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels that the Aussies are going to win the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy by a 3-1 margin.

Given that India have beaten them twice in their last two series in Australia, Ponting feels that Australia have a point to prove. He further added that he is never going to tip against Australia and feels that the team has all the firepower to beat India, especially in conditions suited to them.

“It's going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia's got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what's happened the last two series here," Ponting said during the ICC Review.

"We are back to five Tests as well, which is the other really important thing about this series. It's only been four Tests the last couple of times. Five tests, I think everyone's really excited by that and I don't know if there'd be too many drawn games."

"I'm obviously going to tip Australia to win and I'm never going to tip against Australia. There will be a draw somewhere and there will be some bad weather somewhere, so I'm going to say 3-1 to Australia,” Ponting added.

The Test series begins on November 22 at Perth with the last Test to be played in Sydney from January 3.

# 2. Ravi Shastri predicts India to make a hat-trick of series wins

Former India head coach, who was at the helm during the last two series wins in Australia, feels that India can complete a hat-trick of series wins in Australia. Shastri was of the opinion that with the balance the Indian team has, they have everything it takes to win their third series in Australia.

Despite India’s batting struggles at different stages of the series, they still managed to register a series win in 2020-21. Batting will be very important in the upcoming series and Shastri feels that for India to continue their dominance against Australia, their batters have to fire.

“Remember, India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours and Australia have not had a hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade and that's the reason why everyone will be waiting for these two heavyweights of Test match cricket over the last five to eight years to go head-to-head,” Shastri said.

"It is going to be one heck of a series and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they've got their bowlers fit and if they can bat well, they can tickle (beat) Australia once again,” the former India head coach added.

Shastri acknowledged the fact that the Aussies will be hurt and will look for revenge in the upcoming series. He also added that Australia have a world-class bowling attack who will look to make a difference in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

# 3. Nathan Lyon is keen on completing the unfinished business against India

One of the finest spinners in the longest format of the game, Nathan Lyon has been an integral member of the Australian Test side ever since making his debut. He has gone from strength to strength and his wicket-taking abilities in different parts of the world make him arguably the greatest off-spinner of this generation.

For Nathan Lyon, there is some unfinished business which the offie and the Australian team must address when India tour Down Under later this year. Since a 2-0 series win on home soil back in 2014-15, the Aussies are yet to beat India in a Test series.

Lyon feels that if the plans which they have discussed come out perfectly during the Test series, then Australia should secure a win. He also added that the Australian squad is extremely hungry and eager to turn the tables on India.

"It's been ten years of unfinished business, it's been a long time, and I know we're extremely hungry to turn things around, especially here at home,” Lyon was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

“Don't get me wrong, India is an absolute superstar side and extremely challenging, but I'm extremely hungry to turn things around and make sure we get that trophy back,” he added.

# 4. Basit Ali feels that Australia can only beat India without the likes of Shami, Bumrah, Siraj, Rohit, Virat and Jaiswal

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has come out in support of the Indian team and feels that after winning back-to-back series in Australia, they have a big opportunity to win their third series Down Under.

Responding to Ricky Ponting’s statement, Basit said that the Aussies have a tendency of playing mind games before a big series and the Indians are well aware of that.

"Ricky Ponting has said Australia will beat India 3-1. It is a big statement. The mind games have begun. The Indian players and coaches know these mind games very well. India has won the last two Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. There is not much difference between that time and this time, in my opinion.” Basit said.

“I know Australians really well. They have a habit of making such statements. Australia can beat India 5-0 only if India are without Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, Rohit, Virat, and Jaiswal,” he added.

# 5. Wasim Jaffer tips India to win if Bumrah, Shami and Siraj stay fit for the majority of the series

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has backed India to make a hat-trick of series wins in Australia if the fast bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj remains fit for the majority of the series.

He believes the availability of these three fast bowlers could turn out to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the series. Jaffer also feels that Arshdeep Singh can be brought in for the tour Down Under as he brings a different angle with his left-arm seam.

“If Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj stay fit and are able to play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under. Arshdeep could bring the left-arm option. And Mayank Yadav dark horse provided he's fit and available,” Jaffer said.