IND vs AUS: Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar predict the Border-Gavaskar Trophy final scoreline

As the Indian cricket team gears up for their high-voltage five-match Test series against Australia, Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar have made bold predictions about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

With India's ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final fate at stake, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team must win the highly anticipated Test series 4-0 to seal a third consecutive appearance in the final, without depending on other results.

India’s WTC Final Hope in risk as Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar Weigh in on Australia tour

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has highlighted how mountainous the task of sweeping Australia 4-0 in Australia is for India, something no team has achieved, not even the legendary West Indies side of the 80s.

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However, Gavaskar expressed confidence in India's captain Rohit Sharma, and his ability to inspire the team in tough situations. The former Indian captain has pointed out Rishabh Pant's calm demeanor under pressure, suggesting the star wicketkeeper to just go out and enjoy himself in Australia.

The legendary Indian batter also advised the Indian cricket team to forget their 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand at home and just believe in themselves like they did in the last couple of tours to Australia to stun the entire cricket world by recording a hat-trick of Test series wins on Australian soil.

They've just got to believe that they can turn the tables on Australia: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “No team, including the champion West Indies team of the past, has beaten Australia 4-0 to the best of my recollection. They've got a very good captain, Rohit Sharma, who's always been somebody who's been able to lift the team.

Rishabh Pant has the great ability to soak pressure. He just wants to go out there and enjoy himself and play to the best of his ability. Forget what happened against New Zealand; they've just got to believe that they can turn the tables on Australia like they've done the last couple of tours to Australia.”

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Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar has openly said that a 4-0 outcome is a distant dream for Team India. He cautioned Rohit Sharma and his brigade to take things one match at a time, with the first two Tests in Perth and Adelaide proving to be the biggest hurdles for them.

4-0, distant dream, just take one step at a time: Sanjay Manjrekar to India

The cricket pandit further noted that either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli must lead the charge with stellar performances throughout the five-match Test series in Australia to have any WTC final chances.

Manjrekar also pointed out the Indian cricket team’s bowling crisis due to Mohammad Shami’s absence, which could deter their chances of dominating Australia in the upcoming Test series, starting on November 22 in Perth.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on Star Sports: “4-0, distant dream, just take one step at a time, and the first couple of steps, which is Perth and the next one in Adelaide, are going to be India's toughest Test. We need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, one of them, to have a great series. The problem for India is that the bowling, which has been their great strength in the last couple of years, Shami is missing.”

#SunilGavaskar brings his expertise to the table, joined by @sanjaymanjrekar, as they dissect the key moves, strategies, and star players for #TeamIndia's road to the #WTCFinals! 🇦🇺🇮🇳

📺 Don’t miss #AUSvINDonStar 👉 1st Test starts on FRI 22 NOV, 7 AM on Star Sports 1! pic.twitter.com/BjpONZvZVI

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 13, 2024