Steve Waugh Rates The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Equivalent To The Ashes

After Nathan Lyon, former Australian captain Steve Waugh also opines that the India-Australia rivalry is at par with the Ashes. A month ago or so, record-breaking off-spinner Lyon declared that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is as significant as the urn. Steve Waugh was a part of several Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaigns, the most famous of which came in 2001.

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In 2001, Australia held the lead in the three-match series by winning the first Test comfortably by ten wickets in Mumbai. The hosts turned the tables in the second Test on the back of a legendary partnership between Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman to mark a stunning comeback. The Baggy Greens lost the final Test too, but Steve Waugh considers the second game as one of the greatest games of his career.

The 168-Test veteran confidently stated that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is as massive as the Ashes. Waugh labelled the tied Test in Chennai as the greatest one while the Kolkata Test as unforgettable.

“The Border-Gavaskar trophy is equivalent to the Ashes. Shows the growing competition between the two countries. Tied Test is the greatest game I have ever played. Calcutta Test loss was memorable,” Waugh stated in a virtual interaction with India Global week 2020.

The former right-handed batsman went on to hail India as a place and became as the venue he fell in love with. Waugh also credited the sport behind getting some great friendships and connections.

“India was interesting. Toured every 10 years. I couldn’t stop looking out of the window. India was fascinating and I began to fall in love with the place. Great connections through cricket,” Steve Waugh said.

I want to produce a book that will surprise people about India: Steve Waugh

Waugh, who played his last Test in Sydney against India in 2004, lauded the diversity and passion for cricket in India. The 55-year-old revealed that he is on the verge of releasing a book that showcases cricket being equivalent to religion via pictures in the nation. India will tour Australia later this year to defend the coveted title that they retained down under in 2018-19.

“Producing this book could bring India and Australia together. We are about to finalise the book. People can go to stevewaugh.com. You see amazing things about India its diversity and passion for cricket. I want to produce a book that will surprise people about India – through pictures – showcase India and that’s my latest project. Trying to capture why cricket is a religion in India,” he concluded.

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