With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just days away, predictions have begun to pour in. Former Indian all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri believes India will defeat Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, at least by a 2-match margin.
‘Want the ball to turn from Day 1’: Ravi Shastri wants to turn tracks in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former India coach Shastri stated that he wants to see the ball turn from the first day.
“I want the ball to turn from Day 1! If you lose the toss, so be it. You want to see the ball turning a bit. Or something there for the bowlers on offer from Day 1. It’s your strength. You’re playing at home. Capitalise on it,”
he said.
Despite the fact that Australia has not won a Test series in India since 2004, some former players in Australia have predicted that the world’s top-ranked test team will return victorious.
Australia previously visited India for a Test series in 2017. They won the first Test in Pune by 333 runs but went on to lose the series 2-1. When asked about his prediction for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shastri said on Star Sports:
“As far as the series result goes, I think India should back themselves to win this series by a two-match margin. You’re playing at home; you’ve got the bowlers for that. You’ve got the batting line-up as well. I think you’ve got to put pressure from Test match one.”
When asked if India versus Australia was the greatest rivalry in modern sports, Shastri responded:
“No question. The buzz that an India-Australia series creates is second to none in world cricket. India is one of the teams that has really competed against Australia. That’s what has got everybody to watch the series. More than anything else, credit must be given to the Indian players for making that happen. Australia always had a reputation: of playing in a certain fashion and dismantling sides. For India to step up and play them at their own game speaks volumes for the way the Indian players have performed over the last few years.”
The four-match Test series will begin with the first game at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on February 9.
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