IND vs AUS 2024: Red-ball cricket has reached a new height of excitement and popularity and the Border Gavaskar Trophy has made it to India. The Men in Blue are in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25 and here we are, with the top four Indian key players for the 1st Test IND vs AUS 2024-25.
Currently, Pakistan is in Australia for a T20I series, but all the attention of the global cricket media is on India's upcoming tour of Australia in 2024, Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie said “From a Pakistani perspective, it was felt that their priorities were India based on the selection and promotion of the series. Anyone can see it, it’s pretty obvious.”
While that may be true, the upcoming Test series against India in Australia will be warmly welcomed. The Indian and Australian teams are shedding their last drop of sweat to prepare for the series and with less than a week to go, the strategies and plans would have started evolving.
BCCI fielded a strong 18-member squad for the five-match Test series against Australia, led by with Jasprit Bumrah as his deputy. Below is India's full squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy:-
India squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar. (SOURCE – BCCI OFFICIAL)
Let's take a look at the four key Indian players for the 1st Test IND vs AUS 2024-25:
Top four Indian players for 1st Test IND vs AUS
1- Jasprit Bumrah: Jasprit Bumrah is probably the most important player in the current squad. Australian pitches have bounce, pace and carrying characteristics, so players are very used to it. It's quite hard to stop the Australian batting line-up in such conditions if you take it for granted.
Bumrah has been the elite bowler of the Indian team when it comes to overseas tours and this time too he is the most important player of the series from India's perspective. His numbers in Australia are self-explanatory as he has picked up 32 wickets in just seven matches at an average of just 21.
2- Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli's current form in the Test format is a bit worrying but Australia would never underestimate him. He single-handedly won the entire matches against Australia and his numbers justify his presence in Australia.
In 13 matches played in Australia, Virat has amassed 1352 runs at an average of over 54. He has scored 6 centuries and 4 half-centuries on the continent.
3- Rohit Sharma: The captain Rohit Sharma will lay the foundation for the Indian innings. In the last few months, we have seen an extremely aggressive Rohit Sharma on the ground. His new avatar and his outstanding ability to make it big under any given condition raise his stakes.
He hasn't had the best of chances in Australia in the past, but this time he will be in the spotlight for all India. Sharma has played 7 matches in Australia and has 408 runs to his name. He is expected to increase those numbers on this tour.
4- Ravichandran Ashwin: Whenever India vs Australia is discussed, Ravi Ashwin is one of the first names that comes to mind. He was the best Indian spinner on the Australian pitches. Not only his unplayable spin bowling but also his batting skills have come in handy for India in the past.
In his 10 games in Australia he has 384 runs and 39 wickets with 88 maidens. He will play an important role in the Indian lineup against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
READ: Javed Miandad warns Indian cricket team after refusing to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy
