Can Australia Lose Their Edge Before the Next BGT Test?

Gavaskar Weighs In

Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar believes Australia could lose their momentum in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) due to a gritty partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep on day four of the third Test in Brisbane. Gavaskar thinks India now has the chance to regroup and return stronger for the next two Tests.

A Turn of Events

India was in a precarious position at 213/9, with Australia hoping to force a follow-on. However, Bumrah and Deep combined for an unbroken 39-run stand, helping India score 246 and avoid the follow-on. This unexpected resilience could shift the dynamics of the series.

Momentum Shift

Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, acknowledged that momentum was initially with Australia after their strong 445-run first innings total. However, the week-long break before the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne could work in India's favor.

"Yes, absolutely. After the defeat in Adelaide, the Australians had the momentum. They dismissed India's top order and rallied to score 445 after being 70 for 3. But with a week's break, there's a possibility that Australia could lose momentum, giving India time to recover and come back stronger," Gavaskar said.

Key Batting Performances

India's KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja both scored crucial half-centuries, which kept Australia at bay. Even with the early loss of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins continued to apply pressure.

Chasing the Target

When asked about India's strategy for chasing down a potential target, Gavaskar emphasized the importance of a strong start and having wickets in hand.

"It depends on the kind of start the Indian team gets in the second innings. If they get a good start, with players like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jadeja down the order, they could look to chase down the target. If they are asked to score around 150 to 160 runs in the final session, they will definitely go for it if they have wickets in hand," Gavaskar explained.

Series on the Line

The five-Test series is currently tied at 1-1. The performance in the next two Tests will be crucial in determining the ultimate winner of the BGT.

Conclusion

The resilience shown by India's lower order has injected new life into their campaign. With a week to prepare, India has a golden opportunity to regroup and challenge Australia's dominance. The upcoming Tests in Melbourne and Sydney could be decisive in shaping the future of this historic cricket rival.