India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the four-match Test series set to begin on 9 February in Nagpur. The two camps are excited as well as nervous for the much-anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. While India are eyeing a series win by a margin of two games, Australia are looking to end an almost two-decade-long wait for a Test series win in India.
As the first Test is just a few days away now, the Australian players were asked to preview the Border Gavaskar Trophy and what it means for them to win a Test series in India. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins talked about their experience from the past and also revealed what it would feel like if Australia wins this edition of the BGT.
While Starc said that India is one of the hardest places to play away from home, Pat Cummins said that winning the BGT in India is rarer than an Ashes away win. Steve Smith, meanwhile, said that if Australia manage to beat India this time around, it will be bigger than an Ashes win.
“It’s a difficult place to win a Test match let alone a series so you know if we were able to topple that mountain that would be huge. I think if we can win in India that would be bigger than the Ashes,” said Smith to cricket.com.au.
“Winning a series in India is like in Ashes away series but even more rare. I think it really is a career highlight and career defining series if you can win over there…so that’s an opportunity…can’t wait,” said Australia captain Cummins.
Notably, Australia last won a Test series in India way back in 2004. Since then, India have managed to hold their ground every time. Also, India have the Border Gavaskar Trophy with them since 2017.
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