Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer reckoned that Australia hold the edge in the upcoming edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 which is scheduled to start from November 22. He said that the veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara's absence will haunt Men in Blue in the upcoming five-Test match series against Australia.
In the exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, Jaffer reckoned that Pujara played an important role in India's victory during previous editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"I feel it will be difficult for the Indian team, to be honest. Beating Australia in Australia is obviously difficult. India played incredible cricket in the two series they won. However, I feel they will have to bat slightly better this time. Pujara is not there this time," Jaffer told Sports Tak.
"I think Pujara was the main guy, the way he played the new ball. He tired out their fast bowlers in the initial overs and then stood there and scored the big runs. India need to find somebody like that. If India put runs on the board, then only they can win. Otherwise, I feel Australia have the upper hand," Jaffer added.
Pujara was last featured for India during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 which was hosted by India and the hosts defeated Australia 2-1 in four Test match series
Team India had defeated Australia on their home soil in the last two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit Sharma-led side will look for a win hattrick and if they manage to register a series win then India will become the first Asian team to win three consecutive Test series wins against Australia on their home soil.
The upcoming five-test match series against Australia will be India's first Test assignment in Australia under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. The upcoming five-test match series against Australia will be important for India to seal their spot in the World Test Championship Final. India needs to win the series 4-1 to cement their spot for the final without depending on other team's outcomes.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 schedule
The first Test of the series between India and Australia will take place in Perth from November 22 to 26. Following that, the second Test will be a Day/Night match at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test is scheduled for The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, while the fourth Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.
India squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Travelling reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed.
