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Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali recently reacted to Ricky Ponting's prediction for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. The five-match Test series will be played Down Under, beginning November 22.
In the recent edition of the ICC Review, Ponting predicted that Australia will come out on top against India this time, reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a 3-1 margin. Basit reckoned that Australians have a habit of dishing out such statements and indulging in mind games ahead of a big series.
The cricketer-turned-expert also pointed out how India have emerged victorious in the last two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. Speaking in his latest YouTube video on his channel, Basit said (from 1:30):
"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 have won the last two Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. There is not much difference between that time and this time, in my opinion."
Basit cheekily remarked that Australia could even whitewash India, but only if the Men in Blue tour without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
"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 (2:39).
India have dominated Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the recent past, winning the previous four editions. It is worth mentioning that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has now been extended to five matches and it will be the first time that India and Australia will compete in a five-match Test series since 1991-92.
"Open the batting now, it will be fun" - Basit Ali's challenge to Steve Smith for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Australia's ace batter Steve Smith has opened the batting for the team in Test cricket since David Warner retired from red-ball cricket in January.
Basit Ali opined that Smith agreed to be promoted as an opener because Australia were scheduled to take on weaker teams. Challenging the veteran batter to open the batting against India's fiery bowling lineup, the cricketer-turned-expert said in the same video (from 3:34):
"Does the Australian team have the courage to prepare a grassy or bouncy track? Will Steve Smith open the batting this time too? He changed his batting position to open against weaker teams. Open the batting now, it will be fun."
Smith played an opener against the West Indies and New Zealand in 2024. However, he has tasted little success in the role, amassing 41 runs across five innings at an average of 8.20.
Suggesting that India's already formidable bowling unit will look even more dangerous with the inclusion of tearaway speedster Mayank Yadav, Basit added (from 4:20):
"Does the Australian team have the courage to prepare a grassy or bouncy track? Will Steve Smith open the batting this time too? He changed his batting position to open against weaker teams. Open the batting now, it will be fun."
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off with the Test series opener between India and Australia in Perth in late November and will go on till 7 January.
