Mitchell Starc Equates Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Ashes Series

Australia's premier fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has declared the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India to be on par with the prestigious Ashes series. The five-match Test series, the first since 1991-92, is set to commence in November.

Starc, who has been a key figure in Australia's recent Test successes, believes the Border-Gavaskar Trophy holds immense significance. "Being five matches now, it's probably right on par with an Ashes series," he told Wide World of Sports.

Australia has not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15, with India claiming four consecutive series victories, including their historic triumphs in Australia during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours. Starc is determined to reverse this trend and has set his sights on a complete whitewash.

"We always want to win every game at home, and we know India is a very strong team," he said. "As we're placed at the minute, we're the top two teams on the Test ladder... so a very exciting series coming up for the fans and certainly the players. Hopefully, when we're sitting there on the 8th of January, we have that trophy back on our shores."

With just 11 more caps, Starc will join an elite group of cricketers who have played 100 Test matches. The 34-year-old has no plans to retire from the longest format of the game and has made a conscious decision to reduce his involvement in limited-overs cricket to maintain his longevity and effectiveness in the red-ball arena.

"Every time I get to wear the baggy green cap, it feels very special," he said. "Hopefully, it's five times through the summer with five wins, and we can sing that song five times, then we move on from there."

Starc is scheduled to participate in a series of limited-overs matches in England in the coming month. Upon the conclusion of the white-ball fixtures, he plans to return home and represent New South Wales in domestic competitions.

"The Tests will always be taking precedence for me," he said. "We've got seven Tests on the bounce with five against India and then two in Sri Lanka, so they sit top of the tree with what's coming up."

Starc will lead Australia's attack, which will also feature Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. "Pat is resting for this UK tour... we love playing all three formats, but that could look different at different times over 12 months."

"There is certainly no end date on (our bowling careers)," he added. "That will be an ongoing one. We'll see where (our) bodies are and the want to keep going, but at this stage, it's all guns blazing for five Tests against India."

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