Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer recently said he was pretty confident that the Indian cricket team would take the field and create history with their third consecutive win in a Test series over Australia. He feels with this trio of pacers—comprising of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah—staying fit for the entire duration of the series, India will have a very good chance of winning yet another historic victory Down Under.
His belief in these people is born of the remarkable strength and consistency they have shown so far: that they, the fast bowlers, are the game-changers, central figures to make or break India’s success in conditions tough enough. Finally, the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to commence at Perth Stadium on November 22, 2024.
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As the cricket world awaits with bated breath for the clash of the titans, the Indian team will look forward to carrying on its dominance in Australia, having already triumphed twice on Australian soil in 2018–19 and 2020–21 during the two preceding tours. These are wins that have bred expectations to the sky, and this series is expected to add to that.
During a recent Q&A session on X, formerly Twitter, Wasim Jaffer was asked by one of his fans to predict the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While answering the question, Jaffer stated that young pacer Mayank Yadav might find a surprise call to the Indian squad. Jaffer said it was important for the Indian team to have different bowling options and added that Arshdeep would be a good option as a left-arm pacer.
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Wasim Jaffer went on to refer to Mayank Yadav as a “dark horse,” adding that if he fits in and the team, then Yadav shall play a very vital role in the series. “If Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj stay fit and can play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under. Arshdeep could bring the left-arm option.”. With Mayank Yadav a dark horse if he’s fit and available,” Jaffer tweeted, in what was an expression of faith in India’s depth and versatility.
If Bumrah, Shami and Siraj stay fit and are able to play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under. Arshdeep could bring the left arm option. And Mayank Yadav dark horse provided he’s fit and available. #AUSvIND https://t.co/qnZ2IWDM2u
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 11, 2024
Currently India is the No. 1 team and Australia is No. 2 in the list of World Test Championship but, hence this coming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be equally important for both the teams as far as defining their position in the table of championship. Also, looking back at history, the last recent time the two cricketing giants locked horns against each other culminating with Australia going back because of the WTC 2023 final loss.
It will be a two-home Test series; first, it will host Bangladesh, then a three-Test series against New Zealand on home soil. These will be very important to establish and craft strategies and form in view of the tour of Australia, which will be very tough.
