Aakash Chopra believes Team India will head into the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with positives and confidence. Aakash Chopra pointed out that Australia’s plan to go into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series has been derailed.
Australia have plenty to look forward to after not being able to secure a win in the Gabba Test against India. Pat Cummins and Co. will have their task cut out when the Boxing Day Test starts on December 26.
Australia’s recent and past performances at Gabba
Australia are known for hammering oppositions when it comes to playing Test cricket at the Gabba. They have made the venue their fortress where teams have historically struggled to make a mark. But there’s also a downside to their dominance in Brisbane. In the 21st century, Australia have never gone on to win a Test series when the Gabba Test either ended in a draw of the hosts lost it.
Out of the six times it has happened over the last 24 years, India have been their opponent twice. Back in December 2003, Sourav Ganguly’s heroic 144 in the first innings helped India eke out a draw in Brisbane. Back in 2021, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill helped India win a Test at The Gabba for the first time when they won by three wickets in a closely-fought encounter.
This time around, India avoided defeat yet again at the Gabba. Rain also helped them as the inclement weather made sure that India go into the Melbourne Test with the series locked at 1-1. Given the past trends, Australia need to be wary of their opponents before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and New Year’s Test in Sydney gets underway.
Former Indian player now commentator Aakash Chopra said that India after a fighting draw at Gabba would head to Boxing Day test in Melbourne and New Year’s test in Sydney with more confidence and positives,
Aakash Chopra on India going to Melbourne with BGT 2024-25 at 1-1
Aakash Chopra believes Team India will head into the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with positives and confidence. He pointed out that Australia’s plan to go into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series has been derailed.
The third Test between India and Australia ended in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday, December 18. The series is tied at 1-1, with India having won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs and Australia registering a 10-wicket win in the second game in Adelaide.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former India opener opined that the visitors would be the happier lot heading into the last two Tests.
“The thing I liked was that you (India) were behind in the match, you were almost made to follow-on but the truth is that you are going with positives and confidence from here because the team suddenly gets united. Many people are making a mockery of the team’s celebration. The celebration happens because the team fought together,” he said .
“The follow-on was a small victory, and sometimes, it changes everything. Australia’s plan has collapsed, that they would defeat us in Perth, with the pink ball, and in Gabba, and go to Melbourne and Sydney 3-0, to the grounds India like. Now that is not going to happen as India are going there at 1-1,” Chopra added.
Australia suffered their first-ever Test defeat at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Although they maintained their perfect record in pink-ball Tests in Adelaide, they couldn’t register a win in Brisbane, a ground where they have enjoyed great success in the past.
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that India also excelled with the ball in Australia’s second innings, with the hosts’ declaration denying Jasprit Bumrah a maiden 10-wicket haul.
“In the second innings, they (India) also bowled so well that they brought the Australian batting’s weaknesses to the fore. Jasprit Bumrah – why did you declare, Australians? He would have got a 10-wicket haul, the first of his career. (Usman) Khawaja is saying he eats him every day,” he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra added that Mohammed Siraj, who was carrying a niggle, and Akash Deep were also among the wickets in the second innings.
“Mohammed Siraj did pick up two wickets but it seemed like the side-strain issue was troubling him slightly. He has put his body on the line and been very, very good. Akash Deep – you get the fruits of your hard work for sure. In the last innings, it seemed like he would pick up a wicket in every over. He didn’t get wickets there but he got them here,” Chopra observed.
Bumrah, who registered figures of 6/76 in Australia’s first innings, bowled a spell of 3/18 in the second essay. Siraj (2/36) and Aakash Deep (2/28) picked up two wickets apiece before Pat Cummins declared at 89 for seven.
Australia looking to avoid embarrassing hat-trick
Back in 2018-19, India won a Test series on Australian soil for the first time under Virat Kohli’s leadership. Then in 2020-21, India emerged victorious yet again in Kohli’s absence. Australia, who are known as an invincible force on home soil, are facing the danger of losing three Test series on the trot at home against India.
Pat Cummins and Co. found themselves under immense pressure after losing the Perth Test by 295 runs. Jasprit Bumrah and Yashasvi Jaiswal turned out to be too hot to handle for them. But then Mitchell Starc and Travis Head brought forth all their experience to help Australia draw level with a win in the Day-Night Test.
At The Gabba, Australia would have fancied their chances until the last session on Day 4. But after Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah helped India avoid the follow-on, Australia’s chances diminished on the last day. Head was again at his best, but his knock wasn’t enough for the Aussies to go 2-1 up.
The Melbourne Test is just a week away and Australia have enough time to recharge their batteries. That Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out comes as a big blow, but in Scott Boland, who loves bowling at the MCG, Australia have an apt replacement. Australia are under pressure, but they have ample chances of winning the series.