Why Winning Border Gavaskar Trophy Is Crucial For Team India?

By Editor Team
Image Credit | @BCCI | X

Border Gavaskar Trophy is the 5-match test series that starts on 22 November between India and Australia in Australia. The Indian cricket team has a lot of stake holding on the outcome of this series cause if the results don’t meet expectations, not only there a lot of changes be seen in the team, but also India might not play a prominent ICC event final for the first time in history. In these articles, such reasons to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy will be talked about; the first one, I bet you already guessed what it would be.

The future of Gautam Gambhir as coach

Gautam Gambhir, the former left-hand batsman of the Indian cricket team who played a pivotal part in his role in the 2007 T20 WC and 2011 ODI WC final when he was first announced as coach by BCCI, the fans have expected huge anticipation from him. The main reason due to his mentorship stint in the 2024 IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders which led the purple brigade to win their third trophy after 10 years. However, the expectations which fans held for him in the Indian cricket team didn’t match.

Except for a test series win against Bangladesh by 2-0 and a T20 series win against Sri Lanka by 3-0 till now, the result of Gambhir as a coach, what is being described by cricketing fans is a colossal disaster because, in this short span, there are some records being created by Team India that belongs on the list of Hall of Shame.

One of them is Men In Blue’s first ODI series lost against Sri Lanka by 0-2 that too after 1997; another is after 12 years, Team India lost a test series at home, and after 24 years, they got whitewashed in their home by 0-2 this both records have been achieved by them in the last New Zealand series. 

If India lost to Australia in this year’s Border Gavaskar Trophy, there is a growing possibility that BCCI might sack Gambhir from the head coach position. However, as per the reports from insiders, BCCI might not sack Gambhir; however, they will limit his powers. Earlier, Gambhir was given the authority by BCCI on various things like providing his suggestions for players on the squad; these authorities, as per reports, might be taken away from him if India lost to Australia in this series. However, not only the coaching department, which should be worried, but the fate of some senior players is being also hanging in this upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy.

The fate of senior players

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the two leading players whose fate depends on this upcoming series between India and Australia. They have provided several contributions to the Indian cricket team in the past by their batting. However, in the recent series, it has been seen that they have been plagued with massive failures. This is what the last 5 test match runs look for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Last 5 test Match runs for Kohli

Match/SeriesInningsRunsBallsAverageStrike Rate
India vs Bangladesh
1st Test1st20332060.61
2nd0100
2nd Test1st24382463.16
2nd0100
India vs New Zealand
1st Test1st22312270.97
2nd0100
2nd Test1st36543666.67
2nd46466.67
3rd Test1st46466.67
2nd0100

Last 5 test match runs for Rohit Sharma

Match/SeriesInningsRunsBallsAverageStrike Rate
India vs Bangladesh
1st Test1st61931.5831.58
2nd5771.4371.43
2nd Test1st2311209.09209.09
2nd87114.29114.29
India vs New Zealand
1st Test1st21612.5070.97
2nd526382.5482.54
2nd Test1st090.000.00
2nd81650.0050.00
3rd Test1st1818100.00100.00
2nd1111100.00100.00

It can be seen that both of them have terrible form going on in the test match format this is being seen more for Kohli. The fans are already demanding Kohli and Sharma to step down from test cricket as well as also demanding Rohit Sharma resign as test captain. If India fails in this upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy, there is a high amount of chance that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to step down from test cricket, calling its quiet from this format forever; this will also mean that Rohit Sharma automatically has to step down from test captainship, handing it to Jasprit Bumrah.

So essentially, winning the Border Gavaskar series is crucial for both of them as well as the fans. I mean, don’t we ICT fans want our beloved legends to retire in a proper way in this format, the way they did in the T20 format, instead of going through this jeopardy? However, besides the fate of senior players, this Border Gavaskar Trophy will also decide the fate of India’s journey to the final of an ICC event.

The last chance for qualifying in World Test Championship

India seemingly felt like they would qualify with flying colors for the 3rd consecutive time in the World Test Championship; however, things took a drastic turn after the series loss against New Zealand. The Men in Blue, in order to qualify for the finals for WTC, now had to ensure that they won the Border Gavaskar Trophy by 4-0. Otherwise, the final of WTC could occur between South Africa/Sri Lanka vs Australia in Lords as predicted by cricket fans and experts that the chances are too low, especially how the current performance of Team India.

However, there is a thing called hope which the Indian cricket fans like us have put forward. This same hope has led us to see Team India win the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia by 2-1 in 2020 after losing the first test by getting all out on 36.

Team India’s squad for Border Gavaskar Trophy

PlayerRole
Rohit SharmaCaptain
Jasprit BumrahVice-Captain
Abhimanyu EaswaranBatsman
Ravichandran AshwinOff-spinner
Akash DeepFast Bowler
Shubman GillOpener
Ravindra JadejaAll-rounder
Yashasvi JaiswalOpener
Rishabh Pant (wk)Wicket-keeper
Sarfaraz KhanBatsman
Virat KohliBatsman
Prasidh KrishnaFast Bowler
Dhruv JurelWicket-keeper
KL RahulWicket-keeper
Harshit RanaFast Bowler
Nitish Kumar ReddyAll-rounder
Mohammed SirajFast Bowler
Washington SundarAll-rounder

List of results of previous Border Gavaskar Trophy

YearHostWinnerScore
1996-97IndiaIndia  1-0
1999-00AustraliaAustralia  3-0
2001-02IndiaIndia  2-1
2003-04AustraliaDraw  1-1
2004-05IndiaAustralia  2-1
2007-08AustraliaAustralia  2-0
2008-09IndiaIndia  2-0
2011-12AustraliaAustralia  4-0
2014-15AustraliaAustralia  2-0
2017-18IndiaIndia2-1
2018-19AustraliaIndia2-1
2020-21AustraliaIndia2-1
2022-23IndiaIndia2-1

FAQ

Why is the Border Gavaskar Trophy so important for Team India?

The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 is crucial for Team India for several reasons:
The performance of the team, especially under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, will significantly impact his future as the head coach. The performance of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could determine their future in Test cricket. A strong performance in this series is crucial for India’s qualification to the World Test Championship final.

What is the current form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been struggling in recent Test matches. Their average scores have been significantly lower than their usual standards.

Who are the key players to watch out for in the Indian team?

Key players to watch out for include Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah.

What is the historical significance of the Border Gavaskar Trophy?

The Border Gavaskar Trophy is a prestigious Test cricket series between India and Australia, named after legendary cricketers Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. It is one of the most intense and competitive series in cricket.

What is the impact of this series on the World Test Championship?

A strong performance in this series is crucial for India’s qualification to the World Test Championship final. A poor performance could jeopardize their chances.

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Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024