It is that time of the year and we are a few months removed from the Border Gavaskar Trophy which is played between India and Australia and it is a test match series of 4 Test Matches every 2 years in India and Australia. However this will be the last 4 match test series as the test matches in this test series will be increased to 5 the next time India travels to Australia.
The Border Gavaskar Trophy is named after 2 of the all time greats of the game in Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar and these 2 have been the best for a number of years. And the cricket that is played between these 2 teams has been extraordinary and the recent test series win by India in 2020-21 has to be the best away series win of all time. So, let’s look forward to the next chapter of this iconic series by doing a preview.
Importance of the Border Gavaskar Trophy
The Border Gavaskar Trophy started as a test series and it officially was named as this series in 2004 and since then these 2 teams have seen some legendary moments and a bit of Controversy as well. The importance of this test series has risen in the last decade since the time the Indian test team got better and now it has become the premier test series along with the Ashes which is played between England and Australia. Both the teams want to win this coveted trophy.
Can India continue the dominance?
It has been all India in the last 3 editions of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and 2 of which were played in Australia and India has won all the 3 series by 2-1 and they will be looking to continue this dominance at home and best Australia and retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. And Australia will look to have an away series win in India. It will be a cracker of a test series.
Schedule of Border Gavaskar Series
The schedule of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy is as follows –
1st Test- 9th February 2023 at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
2nd Test- 17th February 2023 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
3rd Test - 1st March at Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
4th Test - 9th March at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Players to Watch Out For:
Australia:
Steven Smith – He will be eager to score lots of runs in this series and will be looking to make Australia win a historic test series win in India. The Indian Bowlers will be wary of what he can do in the 4 Test Matches.
Marnus Labuschagne – The rising star of Australian cricket will be looking to prove himself on his toughest away assignment yet and he will be looking to prove his doubters wrong that he cannot score outside of Australia.
Pat Cummins – The captain of Australia will look to win his most challenging away series yet and his Bowling will be important to win the matches and he will have to lead well.
Nathan Lyon – Probably the most important player for Australia in this test series looking at the pitches that will be prepared and thus his skin bowling will prove to be decisive. The Indian batters will have to prepare for him
India:
Rohit Sharma – The captain will be facing his toughest challenge yet and he will look to lead from the front and score lots of runs as well as lead the team to yet another series win at home.
Virat Kohli – This list would be incomplete without Virat Kohli and he will be very important and hopefully the rest will be useful for India in this series and he can score lots of hundreds and win matches for India. Check here Best Test knocks by Virat Kohli
Ravichandran Ashwin – Just like Nathan Lyon will be the most important player for Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin can be there for India and he will look to take a lot of wickets and help to win this series for India.
Jasprit Bumrah – He will be back by this series and he will be the spearhead of the fast bowling attack and he will look to bounce back in style and be the difference maker in this important test series for India.
