NEW DELHI: Pat Cummins‘ Australia are set to challenge India’s quest for a historic third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win on Australian soil, this time facing a new Indian captain eager to make history.
The much-anticipated clash begins with the opening Test on November 22 in Perth.
India previously secured back-to-back series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli’s leadership in 2018-19 and then with Ajinkya Rahane at the helm in 2020-21.
Now, with Rohit Sharma as captain, Team India is eyeing an unprecedented third straight triumph Down Under.
Can Cummins and his team halt India’s series-winning streak?
“Yes. Yes is the answer,” Cummins said in response to a question by TimesOfIndia.com during an interaction with select media, organised by broadcaster Star Sports.
“I’ve known Rohit obviously from playing against him a lot, but I’ve never played alongside him, so I don’t know him super well. But India always look like they’re pretty well-organised and well-planned. Fortunately, over the last few years, we’ve had some success in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and, in a different format, the ODI World Cup. So, we’ll be trying to lean on those memories, just as I’m sure they’re recalling some of the previous series over here as well,” the Australian skipper said.
India’s pace attack will be led by star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. With veteran Mohammed Shami unavailable, Bumrah will be supported by Mohammed Siraj and a promising trio of young bowlers — Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep.
For Australian skipper Cummins, Bumrah stands out as India’s X-factor in the series.
Bumrah boasts an impressive record in Australia, having played seven Tests and taken 32 wickets, including a five-wicket haul.
“I am a big fan of Bumrah. He is a fantastic bowler and can play a big role for India in the series. He’s one of the guys who has played a lot of cricket in Australia,” Cummins said.
Cummins also acknowledged the absence of India’s batting stars Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“They (Rahane and Pujara) both scored some really important innings. It was always great playing against Pujara. He was one of those guys who never really felt like he was getting away from you. But then he would bat, and bat, and bat, and bat,” Cummins said.
“I always really enjoyed the contest against him. Some days he won, other days I won. So, it’s going to feel a bit different without him,” he said.