Border Gavaskar Trophy - Who has the upper hand?
Last two test series between these two teams have been whitewashes, don’t expect this series to be as one sided as them
Australia and India Test Series has always been exciting. I opened a newspaper yesterday, in the sports section of the paper i saw picture of Indian Team celebrating famous win at Eden Gardens. I immediately switched on to my Internet TV, went to YouTube and started seeing the highlights of that match. It was a great refresher of an amazing 280 from Laxman and a great partnership between him and Dravid. It was also a amazing start to Turbanator (Harbhajan’s) career.
Stories of how Aussies would win easily against English, Proteas, Kiwis and others in that era but couldn’t conquer India was doing words. Even Australian players would rate a India Series as the toughest and hardest compared to others.
Lets Read into the results of last few series between these two teams in the last decade :
2001 Series (Hosts - India) (2-1 India)
2003-04 (Hosts - Australia) (1-1 India)—Retained Border Gavaskar Trophy
2004 (Hosts - India) (2-1 Australia)
2007-08 (Hosts - Australia) (2-1 Australia)
2008 (Hosts - India) (2-0 India)
2010 (Hosts - India) (2-0 India)
2011-12 (Hosts - Australia) (4-0 Australia)
Then it was likes of Laxman, Dravid and Harbhajan who broke the 16 consecutive victories,now india depends on there young brigade to stamp there authority and bring back india’s test record and home record on track.
Batting
Aussies - Lack experience and Have a host of youngsters after Punter retirement and Hussey’s sudden exit from test cricket. Expect there youngsters to give a fight in alien conditions
Indians - Opening pair, middle order struggle and not in form seniors are all questions that needs answers. Perhaps this is series which can be do or die for few seniors.
Bowling
Aussies - Traditionally Australians haven’t had great spinners, apart from Warne. There spin bowling options are meager again, but they have good pace bowling attack which can exploit the early morning conditions in india and the reverse swing.
Indians - Indians do have a good spin attack that needs to prove themselves. Ashwin has been disappointing in many opportunities he has been given, Ojha has been good but hasnt gone through sides consistently, Harbhajan is coming back against his favourite team but needs to do more to cement his place in the team. All Fast bowlers should back spinners if india are to get 20 wickets atleast twice or thrice in this series.
Yes this march we have a feast of very good cricket coming up. Very rarely did i ever think India are 2nd before the start of the series in india, but this time i feel they are but not far away and have a big challenge on there hands to do well and keep there fans happy ..
RCB Fan,
Sachin Kodagali
Post a comment
Notify me of follow-up comments?
Post comment to Facebook
subscribe to rss 
Archives
hot discussions
WANT TO BE A
FANATIC FAN?
FANATIC FAN?
Latest comments