One of the most momentous rivalries in modern-day cricket, i.e., between India and Australia, is all set to resume for the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the fixtures and venues for the four-Test series have been recently finalised.
Australia’s Test summer will kick-off with a single Test against Afghanistan in November 2020 at Perth. After that, the Gabba will host the opening match of a highly anticipated India-Australia Test series in the first week of December.
Last time when India toured Australia In the 2018-19 season, the visitors registered a maiden Test series victory. However, the hosts did miss the likes of adventurous batsman David Warner and genius batter Steve Smith. So this time when India will face the Kangaroos in December, the scenarios will be quite different.
Fans of both the cricketing nations are eagerly waiting for the battle. Not only fans but Aussie opener Warner is also looking forward to the upcoming series. While speaking to India Today, Warner opined that both Smith and Virat Kohli are the best batsmen and he is excited to see the contest between them.
“Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are the best across formats, and it will be an interesting contest between them,” said Warner.
Since the coronavirus threat will play a major part, it is expected that the series will most likely be played behind closed doors. Warner reacted to this possibility and said it would be a weird feeling to play in front of empty stands.
“It would be very surreal playing against India without the crowd. I want to be selected and be part of that series. Last time we were not bad, but a good team beat us and their bowling was relentless. Now, India has got the best batting line up, and our bowlers will like to target, and the Indian crowd will be eager to see that,” the 33-year-old added.
The banter on the field is a common sight whenever India and Australia play Test series. Speaking about the issue, Warner gave hints that he would stay away from involving in any kind of banter with Kohli during the series as the Indian skipper is not the right person to be provoked.
“Virat Kohli is not a person to be poked and no point poking the bear. If you go a little bit at Virat, he comes out harder with the bat, and he plays amazing. We have seen it time and time again,” the New South Wales cricketer added further.
After Gabba, both Australia and India will meet at Adelaide Oval for the Day-Night Test. The third match is scheduled to be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It will be a Boxing-Day Test. Next year in January 2021, both nations will lock horns at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the fourth Test.
Here are the fixtures for Border-Gavaskar series:
- First Test: The Gabba, December 3-7
- Second Test (D/N): Adelaide Oval, December 11-15
- Third Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground, December 26-30
- Fourth Test: Sydney Cricket Ground, January 3-7
