Pat Cummins openly challenges team India to do this in BGT vs Australia

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is back, and the stage is set for a fascinating showdown between the two powerhouses of world cricket—India and Australia. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series is all set to get underway with the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 22.

For a decade now, Australia has watched the prized trophy slip through their fingers, with India dominating both at home and away. The Australians last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014-15, and since then, India has been winning the titles both at home and away, defining the rivalry with explosive performances and making every encounter a clash of titans.

Pat Cummins confident of ending a decade-long Border-Gavaskar Trophy drought

Despite this, Australia skipper Pat Cummins remains unfazed by the history books, saying the hosts are ready for a historic five-match Test battle with India. This year, the stakes are higher than ever, as this time India and Australia will play five Tests, and WTC points are at stake as well.

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Pat Cummins insisted that the Australian cricket team has not felt the pressure of not winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the past decade but admitted that there is always pressure on the host teams. Playing on home turf, Cummins is well aware of the challenges ahead.

The Australian skipper said that the Indian cricket team is a talented side, but he is confident that the hosts are capable of handling the pressure and rising to meet the fierce challenge in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He also insisted that they are taking one step at a time.

No pressure: Pat Cummins on not winning BGT since 2014-15 season

Pat Cummins said at the pre-match press conference: “Not pressure; there will always be pressure when you are playing at home. India is a talented side, and it will be a good challenge. Not looking too far.”

Furthermore, Cummins sent a strong warning to the Indian cricket team, emphasizing that his team is fully prepared to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home this time. However, the Australian pacer acknowledged India’s strength but insisted that they were ready for the challenging series.

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He noted, “It would be great to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India is a great side, but we are prepared.”

Cummins calls for more fast-bowling captains as Jasprit Bumrah set to lead India in Perth Test

The most enthralling thing about the upcoming five-match Test series is the rare leadership duel between two fast-bowling captains. Australia will be led by Pat Cummins, while Jasprit Bumrah steps in as India’s stand-in captain for the first Test, as Rohit Sharma takes paternity leave.

Recently, Rohit and his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, welcomed a baby boy, and the Indian skipper decided to skip the first Test to spend some time with his family. Reflecting on this unique scenario, Cummins expressed hope that more pacers will take up leadership roles in international cricket in the future.

He signed off by saying, “It should happen more (pacers leading teams).”