To understand the popularity of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, let us first know some facts. India is at first and Australia at second position in ICC ODI and T20 rankings. Australia is first and India is second in the Test ranking. Both these teams are also on top in the points table of the World Test Championship. The final of the ODI World Cup was held between India and Australia. In the T20 World Cup, India had eliminated Australia by defeating them in the league match. That means, whatever be the format and tournament, at present the two biggest powers in world cricket are India and Australia. Therefore, the thrill of Border Gavaskar Trophy is going to be of a different level.

The Indian team has to take the field in the first test match without its captain Rohit Sharma and regular opener Shubman Gill. Rohit Sharma has recently become a father for the second time and is spending time with his family. Whereas Shubhman Gill got injured in his thumb during practice. Both these players are expected to play in the second test match. On the other hand, there is no injury in the Australian team but its problem is that despite doing everything in the last decade, it has not been able to win this trophy. He is 'desperate' to win this trophy. The path to the final of the World Test Championship will also be cleared by this series. When so much is at stake, then how can this series be just a battle of ball and bat?

Players of both teams know the importance of the series

There was a time when Indian players had a feeling that their performance against Pakistan brought them more attention. Pakistani players also thought the same. At that time, India and Pakistan teams were enemies of each other in the cricket field. Both the teams gave tough competition to each other. This enmity still exists but now there is nothing like close competition. Now, no matter what the format, the Indian team wins on an average eight out of ten matches against Pakistan. Now Australia has taken the place of Pakistan. Now players of both the teams feel that if they want to make a name for themselves, they will have to perform in the India vs Australia match.

Virat's bat works against Australia

Unlike the performance against other teams of the world, the importance of the performance against Australia is different. Australia has an important contribution in Virat Kohli's stature in international cricket. He has performed brilliantly in Australia. He started his first Test series in Australia with faltering steps. Then he played two good innings in Perth itself. Today his average career in Australia is above average. He has 6 centuries in his account in Australia. Rishabh Pant's innings of 159 not out in Sydney in 2019 and 89 not out in 2021 have made him a unique player of Test cricket. People still salute R Ashwin for that innings of 2021 when he spent 3 hours 10 minutes at the crease. That too when he had severe back pain. After drawing that Test match in Sydney, he could not even play in Brisbane due to this problem. There are many other such examples which explain the India-Australia series clash.

Both teams have a lot to prove

It is also true that both the teams have a lot to prove. The pressure is more on Australia. He is playing in his house. For the last decade they have failed to defeat India at home. Many players of the current team do not know the taste of winning this trophy. Apart from this, there are many players whose last border in their career is Border Gavaskar Trophy. Similar is the situation in India also. The pressure on him is also high because in the last series New Zealand had defeated him 3-0 at home. This is the first time in the 92-year-old history of Indian Test cricket that a team has defeated it 3-0 at home. No one had thought that the team which played the final of the ODI World Cup and won the T20 World Cup would have to see such days.

Before this series, the Indian team was on top in the points table of the World Test Championship. That place has also been snatched away now. The Indian team has to win 4 out of 5 test matches to make it to the final of the World Test Championship. This is a very challenging 'task'. This is possible only if the Indian team proves its earnings in the last few years.

No one will deny that the Indian team has built a reputation in the recent past. It is said about this team that it plays positive cricket. This team is not based on any one player. There is no fear of defeat among the players of this team. This team knows how to get out of difficult situations and adapt to the situation. The dressing room of this team is full of happiness and it is because of that happiness that victory comes. Now the team has to live up to these criteria. So what if Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will not be able to play the first test match, the rest are big names. There is Virat Kohli, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal, there is KL Rahul, there is Rishabh Pant, there is Jasprit Bumrah… and together there is the determination to defeat Australia once again.