AUS vs IND, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Team India's batters in the 5-8 positions averaged 33.73 in the last 8 games in Australia, but since February 2021, they have averaged 25.97 over 14 games.
India embark on a gruelling 5-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against Australia from November 22. They go into this series with a proud record of having won two series in Australia the last two times they visited those shores.
The pressure this time though is at an all-time high, not restricted to the expectations generated due to India’s stellar performances in last two series down under. It is also due to the historic low they faced after getting defeated 0-3 in the home Test series against New Zealand.
Although there is no strict recipe or formula for success but close observation of numbers does throw up a few interesting insights.
India’s no. 5-8 batters need to step up (AUS vs IND Test Series)
Coming to the crux of the matter, India’s 5-8 batters averaged an impressive 33.73 over the last two series in Australia in 8 games. They scored 1653 runs off 3224 balls. This was far better than the 5-8 batters’ average of 25.97 over the 14 games India have played away from home since February 2021.
It is here that the 5-8 batters need to make a statement in Australia like they did over the last two series.
India's 5-8 batters in BGT 2018-19 & BGT 2020-21
Match | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | SR |
1st Test, Adelaide 2018-19 | 1st | 100 | 37 | 25 | 48.5 |
2nd | 104 | 70 | 26 | 55.61 | |
2nd Test Perth 2018-19 | 1st | 107 | 51 | 26.75 | 52.97 |
2nd | 90 | 30 | 22.5 | 43.68 | |
3rd Test, Melbourne 2018-19 | 1st | 44 | 33 | 11 | 63.76 |
2nd | 140 | 63* | 46.66 | 52.04 | |
4th Test, Sydney 2018-19 | 1st | 300 | 159* | 100 | 66.07 |
1st Test, Adelaide 2000-21 | 1st | 82 | 42 | 20.5 | 50.3 |
2nd | 16 | 8 | 4 | 32.65 | |
2nd Test, Melbourne 2020-21 | 1st | 121 | 57 | 30.25 | 39.41 |
2nd | - | - | - | - | |
3rd Test Sydney 2020-21 | 1st | 159 | 97 | 159 | 39.06 |
2nd | 78 | 36 | 26 | 49.68 | |
4th Test Brisbane 2020-21 | 1st | 122 | 89* | 40.66 | 65.94 |
2nd | 190 | 67 | 47.5 | 52.34 |
Crucially, India’s no. 5-8 batters scored 121 runs off 307 balls in the first innings of second Test of BGT 2020-21 in Melbourne as can be observed in the table above. The remarkable draw in Sydney also saw them grind it out both in the first and second innings with a total of 564 balls faced.
It was in the historic Test at the Gabba that they again rose to the challenge facing 185 deliveries in the first essay. Remarkably, in the chase they scored 190 runs off 363 balls in the second innings to take India to a historic win.
Rishabh Pant at no. 5 to hold the key
The Gabba Test 2021 hero Rishabh Pant will again hold key in BGT 2024-25 at no. 5. By the looks of it, India will most likely field Dhruv Jurel at no. 6 in the ensuing Test series. Jurel comes off a gritty performance for India A against Australia A in Melbourne where he scored 80 and 68.
These two will hold the key and anchor India’s lower middle order with their tenacity and grit. The nos. 7 and 8 batters will most probably be bowling all-rounders and they will also have their tasks cut out. Two of Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana will assume these positions depending on the pitch and conditions.
It must be stated here that India’s top 1-4 batters averaged 36.56 over the last two series they played in Australia. They scored 2121 runs off 5079 balls. The batting average of India’s no. 1-4 batters away from home since February 2021 stays the same at 36.56. However, a poor showing in the home series against New Zealand and Rohit Sharma’s absence in Perth Test has dented fans’ hopes from the upper order.
It is in these circumstances that the middle order needs to step up and step up big time.
The five Tests will be played respectively in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from November 22, 2024 to January 7, 2025.
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