"Australia will not win a single test"- Ex-IND pacer makes a bold prediction ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy
The hype for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is at its maximum as both India and Australia are gearing up for the blockbuster clash on Thursday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The series will be the biggest clash between the two top ranked teams.
The predictions have started, and many former cricketers have weighed in on both teams. However, being the hosts, Team India will have an added advantage, and their records at home are also just incredible.
But Australia is also coming off back-to-back series wins, as they have won their last series against England, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies. Thus, they will carry good momentum with them. Meanwhile, both teams have some injury issues with key players. India will be without the services of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, while Shreyas Iyer will miss the first test.
However, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will be back with the team after a gap of six months and also had a decent show in the Ranji Trophy with a seven-wicket haul. Both teams have four specialist spinners in their lineup. Nathan Lyon will be their prime spinner, while Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson, and Todd Murphy will assist him on spin pitches.
Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene has predicted a scoreline of 2-1 in favour of Australia, while former Australian great Greg Chappell feels that Australia can win this time around against "vulnerable" India. However, former Indian player Dodda Ganesh has backed the hosts and said that Australia might end the series without a win or with just a draw.
I understand optimism, but to say Australia will win the series in India is a bit outlandish. The Oz have no chance against the quality of India’s spin trio. They’ll not win a test. India winning 3-0 or 4-0 is the only thing that needs to be decided #DoddaMathu #BGT2023 #INDvAUS
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) February 6, 2023
On Monday, he tweeted, "I understand optimism, but to say Australia will win the series in India is a bit outlandish. The Oz have no chance against the quality of India’s spin trio. They’ll not win a test. India winning 3-0 or 4-0 is the only thing that needs to be decided."