Not Rohit or Kohli: Basit Ali reveals India star Australia are targeting ahead of BGT 2024-25

Former Pakistan player Basit Ali feels that Australia is playing "mind games" ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Basit also claimed that Australia will be scared of star Indian players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli and are trying to target Rishabh Pant.

Recently, Australian players have spoken a lot about the Indian players and their preferences. Australian captain Pat Cummins even picked Rishabh Pant as one batter that they will be wary of.

Cummins admitted that Australia is aware of the big influence Pant has had over the last two series and they will try to keep him quiet in the upcoming series. However, Basit Ali has other ideas and claims that Australia are trying to target Rishabh Pant.

Also read: Prabath Jayasuriya destroys New Zealand, bowls them out for 88 in Galle Test

Basit Ali names Indian player Australia are targetting for BGT 2024-25

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali claimed that Australia are playing mind games and will be scared of top Indian bowlers and batters. He even mentioned that Australia are trying to target Rishabh Pant this time.

"They are playing mind games. Australia will be scared of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Pant has scored runs recently. They are playing mind games. They are trying to target Pant. This is their mindset. They are showing something else and are thinking about other things," Basit said.

Rishabh Pant is in red-hot form right now and is likely to play a key role for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batter recently scored a magnificent hundred against Bangladesh in Chennai. This was Pant's first Test match since his return from the life-threatening accident in December 2022.

Pant has also played a vital role in India's last two series wins in Australia. In the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he scored 350 runs in 4 Tests at an average of 58.33 and finished second on the top run-scorers list.

In the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the left-hander scored 274 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 68.50 and finished third on the top run-getters list. This series also included a famous 89* that he scored at the Gabba to take India to a historic win.

Basit Ali speaks on Nathan Lyon's comments

Basit Ali also shared his views on the comments made by Nathan Lyon regarding the predictions of the series. Recently, Lyon predicted a 5-0 series win for Australia over India in the Willow Task podcast.

Basit called Lyon's comment a "stupid" one and asked the offspinner to refrain from giving such statements. He even requested R Ashwin to give a fitting reply to Nathan Lyon.

"I will only say one thing about Nathan Lyon's stupid statement that Australia will defeat India by six Tests, but only by words," the former Pakistan batter Basit Ali added.

Nathan Lyon vs Rishabh Pant

Nathan Lyon is Australia's premier spinner and has been involved in every series in the past ten years when India have defeated Australia. He will be looking to make a big impact in the series and take Australia to victory.

Nathan Lyon's battle with Rishabh Pant will be the one to watch out for. Pant has usually been attacking while facing Lyon and has scored plenty of runs off him. However, the offspinner cannot be underestimated and will be a threat in home conditions.