Ravi Shastri warns Rohit Sharma of Australia’s fiery revenge in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Former Indian head coach and cricket pandit, Ravi Shastri, said that Australia's pride has taken a significant hit with back-to-back Test series defeats at home against Team India, so they will be hungry to exact fierce revenge in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

With the first Test scheduled to kick off in Perth on November 22, Shastri predicted that the Australia cricket team will fire all guns to bring the Indian cricket team down to its knees as they have not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for almost one decade.

Ravi Shastri predicts a high-octane battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

The Kangaroos are known for their formidable pace attack, and the former Indian head coach said that they will be looking to unleash their full fury against India's top-order batters throughout the upcoming five-match Test series at home, and the legendary spinner Nathan Lyon will play a significant role.

Notably, India recorded a hat-trick of Test series triumphs in Australia, keeping the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from Australia since their 2-0 series win at home early in 2015. In 2019, the Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team secured a 2-1 victory in the Test series.

The 2020-21 tour was particularly dramatic, with India pulling off a remarkable come-from-behind triumph to win the Test series 2-1 and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, Australia managed to exact some revenge by defeating India in the ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval last year.

Well, Shastri admitted that Pat Cummins and his team are now eager to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 this time around at home. He predicted that both teams will battle intensely for the prestigious trophy later this year.

Shastri warned India that Australia has one of the greatest all-round bowling attacks, and they will aim to take all 20 wickets to beat the tourists in the upcoming five-match Test series.

Australia will be wanting revenge from India: Shastri

With every session promising to be a test of endurance, strategy, and skill in the high-stakes Test series, the former Indian coach feels it won’t be easy for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time around on Australian soil.

Ravi Shastri said on the ICC Review Podcast: “We know what Australia will be wanting (revenge). They will be thirsty; they'd be looking to go at the throats of the Indians because they’ve been beaten there (in Australia) twice. The attack is pretty much the same.”

Shastri further noted, “One of the greatest fast bowling attacks—[one of the greatest] all-round attacks when you add Nathan Lyon there—in a long, long time. And one of the best in the history of the game. They'll be looking for those 20 wickets, game after game to help Australia win the series.”

The former Indian captain also predicted that the upcoming Test series will feature a fascinating clash between India’s batters and Australia’s fast bowlers. The spotlight will also be on India’s bowling lineup, which includes key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj.

Adding to the strength are Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with some solid backup options. The commentator added that the anticipation is high for this series, with many excited to see if India can secure a third consecutive series win in Australia.