IND vs AUS: Ravichandran Ashwin’s fear factor heavy in Usman Khawaja's head months before BGT 2024-25

Australia National Cricket Team batter Usman Khawaja received massive praise for Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He said that he respects the off-spinner’s cricketing brain and is looking forward to the challenge in the Test series.

The stage is set for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The two biggest cricket nations will be up against each other in the five-match Test series. IND vs AUS Test series will be part of the ICC World Test Championship as well and it will be for the first time two teams will be playing in five Tests.

India has been dominating on their last two tours to Australia. They have won two back-to-back series down under and would be keen to achieve the same this year as well. And some of the players will be key for that.

One among them will be Ravichandran Ashwin. The veteran Indian off-spinner will be one of the major factors for the team in the series.

He has been India’s best spinner both at home as well as away. The kind of impact he has made has been sensational as he has often tilted the game in his side's favour from the losing positions.

On the last tour to Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin made a massive contribution. Not only with the ball he was also valiant for his team with the bat. He played a sensational innings that helped the India National Cricket Team etch a famous draw for his team in Sydney.

This time around too, he will have to play a massive role. If India has to fancy their chances of completing a hat trick of a series win in Australia, the off-spinner will have to bring his A-game, and if he does that India automatically will be the favorites.

Ravichandran Ashwin is a very good bowler - Usman Khawaja makes a massive claim ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Usman Khawaja, who is likely to play for Australia in the Test series against India, hailed Ravichandran Ashwin as a good bowler along with being strategic. He added that the off-spinner tries to stay ahead of the game and playing against him is cool. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

"Ravi is a very good bowler. He is very strategic. He always has a plan and tries to figure it out and stay ahead of the game, which I respect. I respect his cricketing brain. It's always cool to play against him and I look forward to the challenge.”

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be the fifth tour for Ravichandran Ashwin. He had great success down under, picking 39 wickets in 10 Tests, at an impressive economy of 2.93. Out of those, 16 have come in Adelaide, 14 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. He would be hoping to make a massive impact and help his team win the Test series against the Australian Team.