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Australia‘s star fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has expressed optimism about Australia’s chances of reclaiming the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025, as they prepare for a highly anticipated five-match home Test series against India.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Starc exuded confidence in the Australian team’s ability to regain the coveted trophy, which India have held since their historic triumphs in Australia over the last two series.
Mitchell Starc confident in regaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Reflecting on the magnitude of the series, Starc compared it to another iconic cricketing contest, the Ashes, emphasizing the importance of winning on home turf.
“Being five matches now, it’s probably right on par with an Ashes series, We always want to win every game at home, and we know India are a very strong team. As we’re placed at the minute, we’re the top two teams on the Test ladder, so it’s a very exciting series coming up for the fans and certainly the players. Hopefully, when we’re sitting there on the 8th of January, we have that trophy back on our shores,” Starc stated.
The left-arm pacer also addressed the grueling schedule that lies ahead for the Australian team, which includes not just the five Tests against India but also two subsequent Tests in Sri Lanka. Despite the demanding nature of the cricketing calendar, Starc reaffirmed that Test matches remain his top priority.
“The Tests will always be taking precedence for me, We’ve got seven Tests on the bounce, with five against India and then two in Sri Lanka, so they sit top of the tree with what’s coming up. The schedule is pretty fluid… the three quicks in particular, Josh [Hazlewood], Pat [Cummins], and I, we all play three formats, so it might look differently for each of us,” Starc added.
While the trio of Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins have been vital across all formats of the game, Starc noted that their participation in each match will depend on their fitness and workload management. However, he remains fully committed to giving his all for the upcoming series.
“I don’t think we’ve put a deadline on anything. The Test matches will remain a priority, certainly for myself, and I think it would be similar for the other two as well. We’ll see where our bodies are and the desire to keep going, but at this stage, it’s all guns blazing for five Tests against India,” the Aussie seamer added further.
Also READ: Former India coach Ravi Shastri predicts the result of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Border-Gavaskar Trophy series schedule
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has emerged as one of cricket’s most intense and captivating rivalries, showcasing fierce competition between two cricketing powerhouses—India and Australia. In recent years, the stakes have only heightened, largely due to India’s remarkable victories on Australian soil, where they secured back-to-back series wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21. These landmark achievements have not only elevated the rivalry but also added to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming series.
The eagerly awaited series between India and Australia is set to commence on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The second Test, a day-night fixture under the pink ball, will be held in Adelaide starting on December 6. The series will then move to Brisbane for the third Test at The Gabba, beginning on December 14. The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the series will conclude with the Pink Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on January 3.
