IND vs AUS: 5 Player Battles To Look Out For In The Upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Cricket Image for IND vs AUS: 5 Player Battles To Look Out For In The Upcoming Border-Gavaskar Troph (Image Source: AFP)

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Team India is set to host Australia for the 4-match Test series, commencing on February 9th in Nagpur. The Test series promises to display world-class players clashing against each other.

Let's take a look at the top 5 player battles we will get to witness in the crucial Test series between India and Australia. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has listed these 5 battles to watch out for in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

---

Virat Kohli vs Nathan Lyon

Ace Indian batter and former skipper Virat Kohli has gained his form, and his performance against Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon can prove crucial. Kohli has been struggling against spin for quite some time now, Nathan Lyon can exploit the Indian conditions to trouble the Indian stalwart. Lyon has dismissed Kohli 7 times in Test Cricket. 

---

Cheteshwar Pujara vs Josh Hazlewood

The wall of the Indian team, Cheteshwar Pujara will once again be in front of ace Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood once said that bowling to Pujara is his most 'frustrating experience', and the pacer has managed to dismiss the Indian #3 six times in Test Cricket. Pujara on the other hand refuses to give in against the Aussies, playing 1,258 deliveries in the 2018-19 BGT and 928 deliveries in 2020-21. 

---

Ravichandran Ashwin vs David Warner

Ashwin has been ruling the Australian minds ever since they landed in India for the series, hiring an Ashwin impersonator to prepare for the wise spinner. David Warner, who has been a superb opener for the Aussies, has been struggling to find form and would face difficulties against Ashwin in Indian conditions. Ashwin has dismissed Warner 10 times in Test cricket. In 8 Tests, Warner has an ordinary average of 24.25 against Ashwin.

---

Rohit Sharma vs Pat Cummins

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma recently ended his century drought and looks ready for his first big Test series as regular captain. However, the opener will face a challenge from Australian skipper and ace pacer Pat Cummins. Cummins has managed to dismiss the Indian skipper twice in Test cricket, and these two will hold the key to winning the series for their respective teams. 

---

Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith

Steve Smith is an absolute beast when it comes to Test cricket, where he averages 60.89. The right-handed batter takes a liking to India in the opposition and averages 72.58 against India in Tests. However, #1 Test all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to return in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a long time out due to injury. Jadeja has dismissed Smith 4 times in Test cricket and with Indian pitches being spin-friendly, the left-arm bowler can have an edge over Australia's consistent right-handed batter.