Basit Ali backs Virat Kohli to shine in Australia, predicts India to win BGT 2024-25

As the cricket fraternity eagerly awaits another epic showdown between India and Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has predicted that the Indian cricket team will not let the Kangaroos claim the coveted trophy this time also.

India’s recent dominance both at home and away, including back-to-back Test series wins in Australia, has left many in awe, and the former Pakistani batter believes that the script is set for another triumph for Team India when they take on the hosts in the five-match Test series later this year.

Basit Ali predicts India will deny Australia the Border-Gavaskar Trophy once again

Sharing his thoughts after India’s dominant 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai, Basit Ali said that he was confident that the tourists, combined with their unrelenting hunger for success, would not allow the Australia team to snatch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian cricket team has been nothing short of a juggernaut in recent years, and Basit Ali believes that Australia will struggle to break India’s decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The upcoming five-match Test series promises to be a fiery contest, with Australia eager to avenge their past defeats, while India eyeing a historic hat-trick of series wins on Australian soil.

If India manages to win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, it will further cement their status as one of the most formidable teams in Test cricket.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “People say India wins at home, but they have won two series in Australia as well. India won't allow Australia to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year as well.”

Basit Ali backs Virat Kohli to regain form on Australia's pacy wickets

Meanwhile, the former Pakistan selector also shed a spotlight on Virat Kohli, one of India’s biggest match-winners, as he struggled to make runs in the recent Test and ODI matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Despite Virat Kohli’s recent struggles, Ali believes that the former Indian captain will make a roaring comeback to his form against Australia.

He emphasized that Kohli thrives in challenging conditions, and the fast, bouncy pitches Down Under might be exactly what he needs to rediscover his vintage form with the bat. Virat Kohli’s ability to rise to the occasion against the top teams could prove to be the decisive factor in India’s quest to record a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia later this year.

Basit Ali signed off by saying, “Virat will return to form against Australia. He will like the pacy wickets in Australia. Big players often lose concentration against weak teams, but they do well against tougher oppositions.”

Notably, the stakes couldn't be higher, with Australian legends like Nathan Lyon making bold claims of a 5-0 whitewash in favor of the hosts, while India legends Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri have backed their team, predicting a series win for the tourists.

The stage is set for an intense battle in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, with Australia desperate for revenge, while India has a golden opportunity to extend their reign on Aussies.