Team India will play a total of 5 Test matches before flying to Australia to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, beginning November 2024. Unlike the previous editions of the series, this time the teams will play five Test matches Down Under including a day-night affair with the pink ball in Adelaide. All eyes will be on Rishabh Pant who played a crucial role in breaking Australia’s unbeaten streak at their fortress – Gabba, Brisbane. At the same time, a lot will lie on the shoulders of Jasprit Bumrah who will lead the fast-bowling unit in the series.
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Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes that if Pant is at the peak of his powers, it will be another memorable tour for India. Impressed with his remarkable Test return after a long injury gap, Chappell opined that his way of playing the red-ball format will be the key for India Down Under.
“As an in-form batter, Pant is vital, which he displayed on the 2020-21 Australian tour with crucial innings in both the SCG and Gabba Tests. His ability to score quickly utilizing his innovative aggression is an important part of India’s strategy,” Chappell wrote in his article for ESPN Cricinfo.
“If Pant can perform at his best, he’s the ideal keeper for Australian conditions. If he’s able to continue with his agile performance standing back, that is what is required in Australia.
“His keeping standing up to the stumps drastically improved before his serious injury, following an ultimatum from coach Ravi Shastri. The fact that Pant progressed from being a dubious keeper against spinners to a very good gloveman standing up to the stumps, admirably displayed his willingness to work hard,” he added.
Chappell further stressed the well-being of Jasprit Bumrah, stating that the pacer will be the key for India in Australia.
“A critical part of India’s build-up to the Australian tour will be ensuring Bumrah is in form but remains fit to play the bulk of the five Tests,” Chappell wrote.
“The difficulty of balancing this task was summed up perfectly by Australian pace hero Dennis Lillee on the 1972 tour of the UK. At the start of the long tour, I suggested we might keep Lillee in cotton wool. He told me in very strong terms, ‘Like a batsman, I need to be in form. When I take a five-wicket haul, you can talk about putting me in cotton wool’.
Chappell further mentioned that the return of Mohammad Shami would be a huge plus for the Indian team but an addition of a left-arm pacer will provide the visitors with a variety in their bowling.
“It would be ideal if the mercurial Mohammed Shami is fit for Australia but the presence of a good left-arm paceman would also improve India’s variety in attack,” Chappell wrote.
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