Cricket

India vs. Australia Test Series: Basit Ali Downplays Hype, Emphasizes India-Pakistan RivalryFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has dismissed the predictions of Indian and Australian experts that India will secure a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia. Ali believes that such statements are merely attempts to generate hype around the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Ali emphasized the unparalleled rivalry between India and Pakistan, asserting that it eclipses even the historic Ashes series between England and Australia. "The whole world knows that India vs. Pakistan is on one side and everything else is on the other side," he remarked.Ali argued that the excitement surrounding an India-Pakistan sports rivalry extends beyond cricket. He cited the potential buzz around a javelin throw contest between India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, referencing the Paris Olympics where Arshad outperformed Neeraj."When Neeraj and Arshad compete in javelin, the whole world will be in front of the television, and the stadium will be full," Ali said.Ali suggested that a bilateral series of hockey, javelin, or kabaddi between India and Pakistan would generate more excitement than the India-Australia Test series. "Just conduct a bilateral series of hockey, javelin, or kabaddi between India and Pakistan in some other country, and you will know whether the India-Australia series is bigger or the India-Pakistan match is bigger," he said.Despite the significance of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ali believes it cannot match the intensity of an India-Pakistan contest. "They are trying to create hype," he said. "But nothing matches the India-Pakistan clash."

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has predicted a 3-1 victory for his home team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Ponting believes that Australia has a "point to prove" after losing their previous two home Test series to India.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test series between Australia and India, will be played later this year. Australia has not defeated India in a Test series since 2014-15, and Ponting believes that the hosts are eager to break that streak."It's going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia's got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what's happened the last two series here," Ponting said on the ICC Review.Ponting also discussed the possibility of Steven Smith continuing to open the batting for Australia. Smith has been opening in recent Tests, but his form has been inconsistent. Ponting believes that Smith should only open if he is comfortable with the role."Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith's the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side," Ponting said."So I'll rephrase it, not whether Smith's the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it's the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn't think it's the right spot then they'll make a change and get someone else back up there."Ponting's prediction of a 3-1 victory for Australia is based on the team's strong home record and the return of key players like Cameron Green. However, India will be a formidable opponent, and the series is likely to be closely contested.

India's hopes of securing a historic third consecutive Test series win against Australia hinge heavily on the fitness of their pace trio, according to former opener Wasim Jaffer.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy commences on November 22 in Perth, with India aiming to extend their dominance over the Aussies on their home turf. Jaffer believes that the availability of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj throughout the series will be crucial to India's success."If Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj stay fit and are able to play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under," Jaffer said. "Arshdeep could bring the left-arm option. And Mayank Yadav is a dark horse provided he's fit and available."India's pace attack has been a formidable force in recent years, with Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj forming a potent combination. Their ability to generate pace, swing, and seam movement will be key to troubling the Australian batters.The series will feature five Tests, starting with the Perth Stadium opener. The second Test will be a day-night affair at the Adelaide Oval, followed by the Gabba Test in Brisbane. The iconic Boxing Day Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while the series concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground.India has a strong record in Australia, having won the last two series in 2018-19 and 2020-21. However, the Aussies will be eager to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil. The fitness of their pace trio will be a major factor in determining the outcome of the series.

Australia A to Host India A in Four-Day Series Ahead of Border-Gavaskar TrophyIn preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia A will face India A in a two-match four-day series. The matches will serve as a crucial opportunity for players from both sides to showcase their skills and stake their claim for Test selection.The series will commence at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from October 31 to November 3, followed by a second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7 to 10. Following the A series, the entire Indian squad will engage in an internal warm-up fixture at the WACA from November 15 to 17 before the opening Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 22.For Australia, the A matches will coincide with the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. Selectors will need to determine if any players involved in the white-ball teams could potentially feature for the A side. The A matches may also clash with Sheffield Shield fixtures.The T20Is against Pakistan are unlikely to involve any of Australia's Test players due to their proximity to the India series. While Steven Smith is expected to remain as an opener, the structure of Australia's batting order remains a topic of debate. The A matches could provide an opportunity for Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Matt Renshaw to impress.In the past, Pakistan faced the Prime Minister's XI, effectively an Australia A team, in Canberra ahead of the Test series. During India's previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, they played two warm-up matches against Australia A before the Test series, which India won 2-1.The India women's team will also tour Australia for three ODIs in early December, which will be played around the second men's Test in Adelaide.

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's exceptional performance in the recent home series against England has raised expectations for his potential in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes Jaiswal will need to adapt his game to the unique challenges of Australian pitches.Hogg emphasized the need for Jaiswal to develop a new range of shots to counter the pace and bounce of Australian surfaces. He suggested that Jaiswal should utilize the pace of the ball to his advantage by playing hook and pull shots instead of relying solely on power."Jaiswal played exceptionally well. Now how he is going to play when he comes here (Australia), he is going to have to change his game. Maybe look to use the pace while playing hook and pull shots instead of hitting hard," Hogg said on his YouTube channel.Hogg also praised another young Indian batter, Sarfaraz Khan, who made his international debut in the England series. Hogg noted that Khan's impressive shot-making against fast bowlers indicates that he is working on improving his game against pace."Sarfaraz Khan, I was worried about his game against fast bowling. But some of the pull shots he has played against sheer pace, I can say that he has been working on his game. I think he is just about ready to take on Australia's pace attack in Australia with some of the pull shots he has played," Hogg said.Jaiswal and Khan will be key players to watch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as India aims to retain the trophy on Australian soil. Their ability to adapt to the unique conditions and execute their shots effectively will be crucial to India's success.