As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 approaches, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating another gripping series between India and Australia. The clash, scheduled for October, will see India face off against Australia on their home turf.
India, having emerged victorious in the last three encounters, including twice in Australia and once in India, holds a psychological edge. Among these victories, the memorable Gabba Test win in 2021 stands out as a historic achievement for the Indian side.
However, as this year’s series draws near, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has expressed confidence in Australia’s chances, while also acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by India.
“I’ll say Australia’s going to win, but I also say this, that watch Team India go,” Hayden remarked, highlighting the resilience and competitiveness of the Indian team.
Hayden also pointed out a significant factor that could influence the outcome of the series: the nature of the pitches. He noted that the traditional home advantage Australia once enjoyed may be diminishing due to the prevalence of drop-in wickets at several venues.
“I feel like there’s actually less home advantage given the nature of the drop-in wickets than what have been previously there,” he said. Hayden explained that venues like Perth, Adelaide, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which are using drop-in pitches, may not offer the same level of familiarity and advantage to the home side as they once did.
Additionally, Hayden mentioned the scheduling of the matches, with the first two Tests being played on drop-in wickets and the third and fourth Tests at Australia’s more traditional venues, Brisbane and Sydney.
“You’ve got your two home venues in Brisbane and Sydney, which just happen to be a third and fourth test match, which is a very different combination to any series that’s been played there,” he observed.
As Australia prepares for the series, buoyed by dominant performances against Pakistan, West Indies, and South Africa in recent home series, Hayden’s remarks underscore the potential for a closely contested battle. While Australia may no longer enjoy a significant home advantage, their recent form suggests they will be formidable opponents for an Indian team eager to extend its winning streak in this prestigious rivalry.
