As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023-24 approaches, the highly anticipated series between India and Australia will kick off on November 22 with the first Test at Perth.
Australia’s T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh has expressed his admiration for India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, saying he wishes Pant were Australian.
Over the years, India has dominated Australia in this prestigious Test series, winning the previous four series in a row, including back-to-back series victories in Australia during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons.
India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 10 times compared to Australia’s five, with Australia’s last series win coming in 2014-15 and their last series win in India in 2004-05.
Rishabh Pant, who debuted in 2018, has become a crucial part of India’s Test setup, especially against Australia. In his seven Tests against them, Pant has amassed 624 runs at a strike rate of 72.13, making several memorable contributions, including his match-winning knock at the Gabba in 2021.
Mitchell Marsh praised Pant, describing him as a “ripping bloke” and “highly competitive” despite his relaxed demeanor. Marsh further lauded Pant’s positive attitude and resilience, particularly following the challenges he has faced over the last few years, saying, “He’s a positive guy, still really young, and he loves winning.”
Travis Head, another prominent Australian batter, echoed Marsh’s sentiments, admiring Pant’s aggressive style of play, saying, “The Indian cricketer I believe is most Australian would be Rishabh Pant.” Head emphasized Pant’s work ethic and competitive spirit, traits that would make him a great fit for the Australian team.
Pant’s record across formats underscores his versatility and match-winning abilities. In ODIs, he has played 31 matches, scoring 871 runs at a strike rate of 106.21, while in T20Is, he has played 76 matches, accumulating 1,209 runs with a strike rate of 127.26.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be an exciting series, with the second Test scheduled from December 6-10 in Adelaide as a day-night encounter. The series will also include the traditional Boxing Day Test from December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The series will conclude with the final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7, capping off what is expected to be an intense and thrilling contest between the two cricketing giants.
