With the year starting on a positive note, the men in blue will look to carry the momentum forward to the much-hyped Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India have been the winner of the previous three series against Australia. This time, they will try to retain the trophy as well. Also with the World Test Championship coming, the BGT will play a crucial role to decide the ranks and book a berth for the Indians for the WTC finals at England’s The Oval.
Australia, however, will expect a change in luck. They couldn’t manage a single BGT Test series win since 2004. The Pat Cummins led Australia have presented themselves as a powerhouse in the Tests. They have occupied the top position in both the Test Championship and ranking table. However, before the series rang the bell on Thursday, a lot of Australia have seriously alleged the Nagpur pitch, claiming it be rank turners.
However, the Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has highly criticized the claim. The former Indian Coach, Ravi Shastri, the two times BGT series winner coach, has also joined the debate by criticizing the hosts viewpoint.
Border Gavaskar Trophy saw Sachin saying “When we go to Australia, we don’t expect turners there.”
Sachin Tendulkar, the batting maestro too has expressed his views while speaking to the PTI, regarding the BGT pitch. He made clear that any International player must be ready to play anywhere, in any condition. He further added, that India never expects turning pitches in Australia.
Tendulkar said,
“When you become an international cricketer, you are supposed to play on any kind of surface in the world. Those are challenges of travelling. When we go to Australia, we don’t expect turners there. We know nature of the surface is going to be a little bouncy and more pace in it and upfront movement of seam. So is the case with Australian team, when they are in India. They know that there will be turn and nature of the surface will be slowish.”
Tendulkar further added,
“They (Australia) are prepared for that, they have practised with SG balls. Every team prepares to the best of their abilities and it is what happens around them amplify but the team is always in a different space compared to what outsiders are thinking. I feel Aussies are prepared to play and face the challenges.”
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