Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden shared his verdict on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia. He believes it Cheteshwar Pujara would be a sure bet in Australia, noting that the runs would be the difference.
Two of the best teams in the game, India and Australia will face each other in a five-match Test series. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be held in Australia in November-December and January. Arguably one of the best series in cricket right now, it has already made an impact on the fans.
India and Australia have played a magnificent brand of cricket over the last few years. But it happened Rohit SharmaSince 2018, the one with the advantage is leading. They have won two back-to-back series and have dominated at home as well.
But this time it will be a completely different Indian team. The team is in transition and is expected to feature some youngsters. Therefore, it will be a different challenge for the Indian National Cricket Team to take on the WTC 2023 winners, the Australian National Cricket Team.
Matthew Hayden believes that both teams have big squads and therefore it will be difficult for him to pick favourites. He highlighted Cheteshwar Pujara’s impact in the last two series and said the top batsmen will have to step up. Speaking to PTI, he explained:
“You look at the line-ups and it’s difficult to say who is on top. I feel it will be the runs that will be the difference. Sure guys like (Cheteshwar) Pujara have retired. Betting in Australian conditions.
“Was he exciting? No. Effective? Heck, yes. Looking back over the years, guys like Raul Dravid and VVS Laxman were sure in our market. The best need to get up in this series, runs will be at a premium.”
Cheteshwar Pujara was the main reason India won the last two Test series in Australia. He was the Player of the Series in India’s historic 2018/19 series win in Australia, where he scored 521 runs in four Tests at 74.42. In the next series, he became a wall for the Indian team in batting.
Who is the best of the best – Matthew Hayden in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Talking more about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Matthew Hayden opined that Australia can end India’s winning streak this time. He said that the upcoming series will be a great opportunity for both teams to find out who is the best. He explained:
“We didn’t have a trophy for the two series in Australia, it’s a coveted place. It’s not like the Steve Waugh era here in 2001. It’s a place Australia want to come and win.”
“And his big cycle didn’t do that. There’s always this fantastic opportunity for the No.1 (and) No.2 teams in the World Test Championship to go head-to-head in each other’s camps, especially overseas, and see who’s got those opportunities. It’s just “Not just the opportunity to play the (World) Test Championship (final) but the ultimate sort of rights to claim who is the best of the best as judged by your tour rather than how you play at home,” he concluded.
