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With the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on the horizon, Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has shed light on his team’s strategic adjustments ahead of the crucial series against India. Hazlewood, one of Australia’s premier fast bowlers, emphasized that this time, Australia’s game plan is more concentrated on India’s emerging talents, particularly Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, rather than the experienced veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Strategic Shift in Focus
The five-match Test series is set to kick off on November 22 in Perth, and it holds significant weight for both teams, particularly in the context of the World Test Championship standings. After suffering back-to-back home series losses to India in 2018-19 and 2020-21, Australia is gearing up to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with renewed focus and determination.
In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, Hazlewood revealed that the team’s strategy has evolved, placing more emphasis on understanding and tackling India’s younger players who are making waves on the international scene.
“The strategy is probably more focused on the newer players we haven’t played much Test cricket against, like Jaiswal and even Shubman Gill, who we’ve only faced a few times,” Hazlewood stated. “We’ve played against Virat, Rohit, and others for years, so we know what to do. The plan doesn’t change that often.”
Australia’s Target: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill
This focus on new players, Hazlewood clarified, is not due to any lack of experience on their part. Shubman Gill, at just 25, has already faced Australia in six Tests, boasting an impressive average of 44.40, including a century and two half-centuries. Gill has been a thorn in Australia’s side before, notably playing a key role in India’s historic series win at the Gabba in 2021. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal, the rising star of Indian cricket, is yet to face the Australian bowling attack in Test cricket. Jaiswal has been in scintillating form recently, making headlines with his remarkable performances in both domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Hazlewood remarked, “It’s about the basics, doing them well and for a long time. We usually find that 9 out of 10 times, Test cricket comes back to that Plan A. You adapt to conditions and change things throughout the day or innings, but most of the time, it’s about executing that plan.”
Australia’s Determination to End India’s Dominance
Australia’s recent struggles against India in Test cricket, particularly on home soil, have been well-documented. India’s consecutive series victories in Australia, including the famous triumph at the Gabba in 2021, have left the Australians hungry for redemption. The upcoming series will see Australia attempting to reverse their fortunes by adopting a more methodical and comprehensive approach to their preparation.
The spotlight, however, will still be on stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have consistently performed against Australia. Yet, the Australian camp appears confident in their existing strategies to handle these senior players, allowing them to devote more time to studying and countering the younger talents.
India’s Preparation and the Road Ahead
While Australia is currently on a white-ball tour in England, they will soon face Pakistan in a limited-overs series before turning their attention to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Meanwhile, the Indian team is busy with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home and is scheduled to play a three-match Test series against New Zealand. This will serve as crucial preparation before they head to Australia for what promises to be a fiercely contested series.
Importance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has become one of the most significant rivalries in international cricket, with the contest between Australia and India often producing high-quality cricket and memorable moments. For Australia, regaining the trophy on home soil would not only be a matter of pride but also a pivotal moment in their World Test Championship campaign.
The series, beginning in November, will also mark the first time Australia will host India for a five-match Test series in over two decades, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event. With the series opener scheduled in Perth, the fast and bouncy conditions are expected to favor Australia’s potent pace attack, led by Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Shubman Gill vs. Pat Cummins: Gill’s technique and patience will be tested against Australia’s captain and leading fast bowler. Cummins has enjoyed success against top-order batsmen, and this matchup will be crucial in shaping the series.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal vs. Josh Hazlewood: Jaiswal’s aggressive style will be up against Hazlewood’s precision and control. This battle will be pivotal, especially given Australia’s focus on neutralizing India’s young gun.
- Virat Kohli vs. Mitchell Starc: Kohli has been a thorn in Australia’s side for years, and his duels with Starc have produced fireworks in the past. Starc’s left-arm pace could be the key to breaking Kohli’s rhythm.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes series, all eyes will be on the younger Indian players, while Australia looks to perfect their strategies and execution. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 promises to deliver a thrilling contest, with Hazlewood’s revelations adding intrigue to the battle between two cricketing giants.
The series will also be crucial in determining the teams’ standings in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, making every match even more significant. With the first Test set to take place in Perth, fans can expect a fiery start to what promises to be a closely fought series.
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