Not Virat Kohli! Michael Vaughan picks 2 Indian players to watch out for in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Published - 14 Nov 2024, 11:55 AM | Updated - 14 Nov 2024, 11:38 PM
Former England captain Michael Vaughan named two Indian players to watch out for in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) series against Australia. Michael Vaughan overlooked former Indian skipper Virat Kohli despite his impressive record with the bat in Test matches in Australia.
The Indian cricket team is currently preparing for the five-match Test series in Australia. Former cricketers and experts are sharing thoughts on the players who could make a significant impact in the series. Both teams have match-winners, which will make it a highly competitive and closely fought contest.
The Australian media has already started the mind games ahead of the upcoming series. Recently, The Daily Telegraph had a picture of Virat Kohli on its front page with the headline "Fight for the ages" in Hindi. The back page of the paper had Yashasvi Jaiswal, calling him "The New King" in Punjabi language.
Michael Vaughan Picks Two Indian Players to Watch Out For
During a conversation with Adam Gilchrist and others, Michael Vaughan was asked which Indian player he was most excited to watch. Michael Vaughan named Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant to watch out for. He stated that Pant is going to have to play a blinder once again in Australia.
"Yashasvi Jaiswal would be one, but Rishabh Pant, I think he is absolutely box-office. He makes batting look more like he's just playing in the backyard," Michael Vaughan said.
"He's under the utmost pressure of playing for India, with social media going berserk when India plays. And he just makes it look like he's having a bit of fun with his friends out in the middle. He's played some great innings. You go back to that innings in Brisbane when he got India over the line. I think over the next few weeks, for India to be really competitive, this man on screen, Rishabh, is going to have to play a blinder once again"
Gilly and Vaughan on Pant,Bumrah,Jaiswal pic.twitter.com/Bi5hrtmo64
— ' (@backup6543) November 12, 2024
Rishabh Pant's Record in Australia in Test Matches:
Rishabh Pant played an exceptional knock during the fourth Test of India's 2021 tour of Australia at the Gabba. Chasing 328 runs on the fifth day, Pant scored an unbeaten 89 runs off 138 balls during the final innings. The Men in Blue ended Australia's 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue in Brisbane.
Pant is expected to play a crucial role for India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The left-handed batter was the top run-scorer for India during the last tour of Australia in 2020-21. He scored 274 runs from five innings at an average of 68.50, with a best score of 97 runs in the third Test in Sydney.
| Series | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 4 | 7 | 350 | 58.33 | 1 | 0 | 159* |
| 2020-2021 | 3 | 5 | 274 | 68.50 | 0 | 2 | 97 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal Has Not Played In Australia
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the second-highest run scorer in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, amassing 1407 runs in 26 innings at an average of 56.28, including three centuries and eight half-centuries. The left-handed opening batter will play a Test match in Australia for the first time in his career.
Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Revealed - How much money PCB could lose if it withdraws from tournament
