The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 got off to an iconic start at the Optus Stadium in Perth as cricket legends Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar brought the coveted trophy to the middle during the opening ceremony. The moment marked the significance of the series, which has become one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in Test cricket.
Following the ceremonial presentation, the national anthems of both nations set the tone for the high-stakes clash. India’s “Jana Gana Mana” resonated across the stadium, followed by Australia’s “Advance Australia Fair”.
Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border bringing out the BGT 🙏#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/P3sxf4ofNI
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 22, 2024
Toss and Team Updates
- India won the toss and opted to bat first. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma, expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and the pitch conditions, stating, “We played here in 2018 and know what to expect. The wicket gets quicker.”
- Australia’s Pat Cummins, captaining his side, remarked on the competitive nature of the series and shared his excitement for Nathan McSweeney’s Test debut at the top of the order.
Debutants
- India handed maiden Test caps to Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, with the honors done by legends Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, respectively.
- Australia fielded Nathan McSweeney, who is set to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja.
Playing XIs
India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Venue and Pitch Report
The Optus Stadium’s drop-in pitch is expected to favor pacers early on, with some assistance for spinners as the match progresses. Bumrah emphasized India’s strategy with four quicks and Washington Sundar as the lone spinner, while Australia stuck to their tried-and-tested bowling attack.
Series Legacy
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains one of cricket’s most prestigious contests, with India seeking to continue their recent dominance, while Australia aims to reclaim the title at home. The presence of Border and Gavaskar at the ceremony added a touch of nostalgia and underscored the historical significance of the series.