Ravi Shastri backs India to beat Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and complete a hat-trick of test series wins Down Under

Ravi Shastri won two BGT series on Australian soil as the Indian cricket team’s head coach.

Former Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Team India to defeat the Australian cricket team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and complete a hat-trick of test series wins on Australian soil.

So far, 16 BGT series have been played between the two nations. India have won 10 series, whereas Australia have clinched five till now. Only one series, in 2003/04 in Australia, ended in a draw between these two cricket powerhouses.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be played from November 22, 2024, to January 7, 2025. For the first time since 1991-92, both nations will compete in a five-match test series.

India have every chance of making it a hat-trick: Ravi Shastri

India’s recent success on Australian soil, where they clinched two consecutive series (2018-19 and 2020-21), came under Ravi Shastri.

The former coach is once again confident that the Rohit Sharma-led India can clinch the upcoming series. Shastri also highlighted the strength of India’s bowling unit.

“The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia over five Test matches is going to be a humdinger. India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours, and Australia has not had a hand in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade. That’s the reason why everyone will be waiting for these two heavyweights of Test match cricket over the last five to eight years to go head-to-head,” Shastri said.

“It is going to be one heck of a series, and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they’ve got their bowlers fit, and if they can bat well, they can tickle [beat] Australia once again,” he added.

Australia will be wanting to take revenge: Ravi Shastri

Shastri hailed the Australian pace attack as one of the greatest fast-bowling attacks. He asserted that the Pat Cummins-led side will be eager to take revenge against India after suffering two consecutive home series defeats.

“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—one of the greatest fast-bowling attacks, and when you add Nathan Lyon there, it’s 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,” Former Indian head coach said.

“One can’t wait for that series to start, and I think India can do the hat-trick [of series victories in Australia],” Shastri concluded.

India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 schedule:

November 22-26: 1st test, Perth Stadium, Perth (D)

December 6-10: 2nd test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)

December 14-18: 3rd test, The Gabba, Brisbane (D)

December 26-30: 4th test, MCG, Melbourne (D)

January 3-7: 5th Test, SCG, Sydney (D)

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