“India's pace attack will be where they predominantly win” – Shane Watson backs Jasprit Bumrah and Co. to succeed in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson has backed Indian pacers to deliver in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He believes that Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Akash Deep have the tools to complete a hat-trick of Test series wins for the visitors in Australia.

The 43-year-old also downplayed the importance of ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and his partner-in-crime Ravindra Jadeja due to pace-friendly tracks in Australia.

"India's pace attack will be where they predominantly win that series. They've got the firepower to be able to do it, but to be able to do it five Test matches in a row in Australia, they'll have to rotate them as well," Watson told the media during the launch of the International Masters League (via The Times of India).

"There's no question, even though (Ravichandran) Ashwin obviously is a ridiculously skilled bowler in all conditions, same with (Ravindra) Jadeja, but the assistance won't be as consistent as it is in other parts of the world. They'll still be effective, but how effective they'll be, that'll be the test and that'll be the challenge for the Aussie batters," he added.

Notably, India won their last two Test series in Australia by an identical margin of 2-1 in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

“The skill they've got, there's no reason why they can't combine that” – Shane Watson warns Australia of India’s batting unit

Shane Watson has warned Australia of India’s batting owing to their ability to score quickly against the opposition. The reaction came as India beat Bangladesh inside five sessions in the second Test. Watson indirectly hinted about Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, who play an aggressive brand of cricket from ball one.

Watson said:

“With the caliber of batters that India have got and the skill they've got, there's no reason why they can't combine that, putting pressure on the bowlers, score quickly but also not make mistakes.

"India have certainly got the team that has got the firepower, give Australia a huge challenge at home. The last time that they met in Australia, India played very, very well. They will have their confidence from that last tour.”

He added:

"But just knowing the firepower that India do have with the bat and the ball and how they continue to come together, Australia are going to have to be at their very, very best to be able to win that series.”

Shane Watson has played 59 Tests for Australia.