December 13, 2024: Ahead of the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins emphasized the immense pride his team feels when winning on home soil.
The series is currently tied 1-1, following a dominant 295-run victory for India at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where standout performances from Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal put the hosts on the backfoot.
Now, the third Test will be played at the Gabba, a ground that holds special significance. The 2020-21 Test series saw an inexperienced Indian team make history by defeating Australia at this very venue, handing them their first Test loss at home in over 32 years. This sets the stage for a crucial clash as both teams look to seize the upper hand.
During the pre-match press conference, Pat Cummins spoke about the importance of winning at home, calling it a matter of “pride.” He emphasized that home conditions are crucial to Australia’s success, as it is where they have honed their skills and established their standards. Cummins said:
“I think there’s definitely pride in winning in Australia. These are our home conditions. These are the conditions we grew up playing with… We definitely go into every home series here expecting to win. That’s what we grew up watching, and that is the kind of the standards we set ourselves.”
He further acknowledged that in modern cricket, winning Test series away from home is one of the most challenging feats, especially when trying to qualify for the World Test Championship final. To achieve that, teams must dominate at home while also picking up wins overseas.
As the third Test approaches, the Gabba pitch is expected to offer assistance to the fast bowlers, and Cummins discussed the possibility of employing bouncers as a strategy against the Indian batters. Reflecting on past successes, he mentioned that the bouncer tactic had worked well during the Adelaide Test, and could be used again as a potential “Plan B” or even as part of the primary strategy. He said:
“Yes, potentially. It worked out in the Adelaide Test. It’s always in the back of your mind as a bit of a Plan B, or if it’s looking really uncomfortable and likely to take wickets, maybe it comes with Plan A for some of the batters.”
Cummins also praised the attacking and aggressive batting styles of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, two key Australian batters who have been in good form. He highlighted how their natural shot-making abilities are central to their success, especially in the conditions at The Gabba.
“I think everyone goes about it a little bit differently. You know, Trav and Mitch are natural shot-makers. That’s the way they go about it… Everyone’s got their own method. I think the most important thing is you play to your strength and Trav did that last week.”
Cummins’ praise for Head and Marsh underlined the importance of playing to one’s strengths, particularly in conditions that can change drastically from day to day, especially at a venue like the Gabba, which often sees varying pitch conditions over the course of a Test match.
With both teams desperate to take the lead in the series, the third Test at the Gabba promises to be a thrilling contest. For Australia, it’s about defending home turf and drawing inspiration from past successes, while India will be aiming to continue their momentum after the resounding win at Perth. The Gabba’s history, the attacking style of players like Head and Marsh, and the potential for a lively pitch all add to the intrigue of this crucial match.
As the Test series stands at 1-1, this match will be pivotal for both sides, with Pat Cummins and his team determined to make a statement on home soil.
