IND vs AUS: The all-important India-Australia Test series, famously known as the Border Gavaskar Trophy is now just a week away. The four-match enthralling Test series will be played in the February-March window, formally kicking off on February 9. The series opener will occur on February 9 at the VCA stadium of Nagpru, while the remaining three matches will take place in Delhi, Dharamshala, and Ahmedabad respectively.
Both India and Australia will reassemble in the city of Nagpur by February 2 followed by a few days of training. The Indian team is currently squaring off against New Zealand in a T20I series whole Australian players are engaged in the local T20 competition, namely Big Bash League. Moreover, The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 remains the ultimate assignment of the ongoing Indian summer and will be followed extensively by fans all around the world.
No one can replace Rishabh Pant’s desire to dominate: Ian Chappell
Meanwhile, former Australia batter Ian Chappell has highlighted Rishabh Pant’s absence in the pinnacle test series. Chappell stated that hosts India will miss Pant’s services in the Australia series a big time, especially his elite strike rate. He further added that it will be decisive for the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara to establish dominance over Australia’s premier spin bowler Nathan Lyon.
“India also has some points to prove, not the least to do with how Pant’s replacement performs. The main thing India will lose from Pant’s unavailability is an excellent run rate, which came from his belligerent aggression. No one can replace Pant’s desire to dominate bowlers, so India have to rely on their top batters not only performing but also maintaining a good strike rate.” wrote Ian Chappell
“One of the main tasks for Indian players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara will be to establish mental superiority over Lyon. If Australia can’t rely on Lyon claiming regular wickets at an acceptable rate, their batting will then depend greatly on the big three.” Chappell further added in his ESPNcricinfo column
Rishabh Pant, the emerging Indian wicketkeeper-batsman suffered a horrible car accident on December 30 near the city of Roorkee, while returning to Delhi from Uttarakhand alone. Pant allegedly dozed off before crashing his car into the road divider, which ultimately resulted in significant damage and several injuries with the car catching fire in a really short period of time.
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