Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: With India and Australia tied at 1-1 in the five-match series, who holds the upper hand in the Gabba Test?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has lived up to its reputation for intense cricketing drama, with both India and Australia having shared the spoils at 1-1 after two thrilling Test matches. The series has turned into a royal contest. With the third Test at the historic Gabba Stadium in Brisbane starting on December 14, fans on both sides are eagerly awaiting to see who will come out on top. The Gabba has always been a cauldron of emotions and skill, and this year promises to be no different.
Strong points for India
India may have faced a tough loss in the second Test, but there are plenty of positives and lessons to build on as the series head to Brisbane. The India squad has shown flashes of brilliance. Despite some struggles, they’ve been competitive, and the excitement is high for what's to come.
Rise of Nitish Kumar Reddy
One of the most promising developments for India has been the emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy, the young all-rounder. His fearless approach with both bat and ball has caught the eye of fans and critics alike. Reddy has proven himself as someone who can handle the heat of international cricket, especially when the pressure is mounting.
In the first two Tests, Reddy has impressed with scores of 40-odd runs in each innings and a crucial unbeaten knock of 38. With a stellar average of 54.33, his performances have been a breath of fresh air, especially against a fiery Australia bowling attack. This young talent might just be the game-changer India needs in Brisbane.
Read More: BGT 2024-25: Case for India to forgo lone spinner & play fourth seamer to reduce burden on Bumrah
Red ball factor and India's pace attack
The third Test will be played with the red ball. It is fair to say that India’s bowlers are far more comfortable with the red ball than the pink. The red ball is known to offer more movement and bounce, which suits the India pacers. Jasprit Bumrah, fresh from a series of strong performances, will be keen to exploit the conditions. The Gabba pitch is expected to be lively, especially with Brisbane being in the early stages of the Australian summer.
Speaking of Harshit Rana, although his previous Test outing in Adelaide didn’t yield wickets, his impressive debut in Perth and solid performances during practice games in Canberra suggest that he could be a crucial asset. Gabba’s “bounce-friendly” conditions could be the final catalyst that the pacer needs to break through.
Unsolved puzzles in spin and batting departments
India's spin options are also worth considering. Washington Sundar, who starred in India’s historic victory at the Gabba in 2021, is back in the mix after taking wickets in recent matches against New Zealand. His performance at the Gabba, where he took four wickets and scored vital runs, could make him a serious contender to replace Ravichandran Ashwin in the playing XI. However, Ashwin's stature as India's premier spinner and his ability to contribute with the bat make him hard to overlook
While India’s bowlers are likely to get the most attention in Brisbane, the batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, needs to step up and deliver big. In the first two Tests, India’s top-order batters have been inconsistent. The team struggled at times, with the middle-order having to bail them out. The presence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite his lean patch in the second Test, offers hope. He has shown the ability to shine in Tests when the conditions are right
Strong points for Australia
Australia enters the third Test with momentum, after a resounding victory in Adelaide. However, despite their win, their batting lineup still faces pressure, especially the top order. While Travis Head’s sparkling century was a highlight, Australia will need more consistent runs from the likes of Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and debutant Nathan McSweeney.
Return of Josh Hazlewood
The return of Josh Hazlewood to Australia’s bowling attack is a significant boost for the hosts. Hazlewood missed the second Test due to a side strain. But now that he’s fit again, his experience and ability to extract bounce will strengthen an already potent bowling unit. Australia’s bowling, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, remains one of the most formidable in world cricket.
Improvements are must in top order
The Aussie top order, despite the win in Adelaide, remains under pressure. Khawaja has only managed 34 runs in the series so far, and Smith has a mere 19 runs from three innings. McSweeney, in his debut series, has been inconsistent. Australia will need their experienced batters to step up, especially with India’s bowlers likely to take full advantage of any inconsistency.
Australia will be determined to protect their fortress and restore pride. The combination of a world-class bowling attack and the return of Hazlewood gives them an edge. But if their top order fails again, they might find themselves on the backfoot against India’s lethal pace and spin options.
For India, their historic victory in 2021 is etched in their memory. They broke Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue. With a young squad, India’s ability to overcome adversity and clinch a memorable win sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. This time, with the squad more experienced and with players like Bumrah, Reddy, Yashasvi, and Sundar stepping up, India will be confident of repeating history.
Who’s the favourite for BGT 2024-25?
While it’s impossible to predict the outcome of this series with certainty, India seems to have the slight edge, especially with the temperament they have shown and the presence of exciting young talent like Nitish Kumar Reddy. India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Bumrah and supported by quality spinners like Ashwin and Sundar, will make it tough for Australia to dominate.
However, Australia’s formidable bowling unit and the return of Hazlewood make them dangerous opponents. If their top order fires, Australia could easily take control, with an added advantage of home conditions.
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