NEW DELHI: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is little over a week away and November 22 will mark the start of the next chapter in the high-profile series. Many firsts — and possibly a few lasts — have added to the intrigue and the background of the five-Test series. Besides the usual verbal duels that have spiced up the build-up of a BGT in the last decade, legends like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Lyon and a few others could be locking horns for the last time in Test cricket.
Australia has been a tough place to play cricket for visiting sides, but India have managed to do well in their last two tours and would hope to do more of the same.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina was part of India squad for the 2014-15 BGT in Australia and knows the challenges that the tour presents. Giving a lowdown on those and some specifics related to the coming five-Test series, Raina, who retired from the sport in 2020, took time out to talk to Timesofindia.com and share his two cents.
Edited Excerpts:
Another Australia tour is upon us. What in your opinion is a prerequisite for a cricketer touring Australia?
When you are going to Australia, you need to show character and fight fire with fire. If you don’t show it, then you will never know it.
IND have what it takes to challenge this AUS team in upcoming #BGT | #beyondtheboundary
Talking about fire, there aren’t many who show it uninhibited like Virat Kohli, but he is low on confidence and in the middle of a lean patch…
The most important role will be of Virat Kohli. I remember when we went there in 2014-15, Virat made four hundreds. And at that time, all top cricketers were playing. I remember he made hundreds in both the innings of the Adelaide Test. I didn’t play that game but was sitting outside and saw his ruthless approach. He was so strong with his body language.
But spinners troubled Kohli on turning tracks at home. Could it be a relief for him facing pacers mostly in Australia, with the ball coming onto the bat?
We need to give credit to New Zealand (for the Test series win in India, which the hosts lost 0-3). They played really well…Their cricketing ethics are very strong, in every sport. They played better than us, had good spinners…but we couldn’t score much. Virat is doing really well, I think. We can’t judge him from one series.
On that note, Rohit too didn’t hit the purple patch in five Tests at home before the BGT. Plus, he might not be available for the first Test. What’s your take on that?
Rohit has a personal reason. His wife is expecting (their second child). That’s the most important thing in his life (currently).
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Rohit’s absence presents Jasprit Bumrah with a chance to lead the team…
For Bumrah, it’s going to be a new opportunity. I think he is a good leader and has a good cricketing brain. Even Gauti bhai (coach Gautam Gambhir) said in the media that Jasprit has that astute leadership (quality), and I think he will be different. Like if you see Pat Cummins, he won the World Cup for them (Australia), has done really well as a player and as a captain. I think Bumrah is close to that. If you look at it from the point of an opportunity, it’s a gun opportunity for him. If he does well, I think we will have a future leader in Test cricket.
The embarrassing series whitewash against New Zealand has also brought some criticism for coach Gambhir. Is it fair to judge him just four months into the job?
I think Gauti bhai was such a player and (now) a coach that even when he used to play, he didn’t pay much attention (to media/public scrutiny). But you know that when you lose, then there will be (comments made) about the coach. But I think he is a good leader and coach. If you look at his record as a player, he won the Indian Premier League (twice) with Kolkata Knight Riders. As a player he won the World Cup in 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI). I don’t think any Indian coach will have more experience (as a player) than him.
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Going into the first Test, with Rohit likely to be unavailable, India are struggling to find an opener to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. Who is your pick to partner the young left-hander?
KL Rahul has a lot of experience. Not to forget, Dhruv Jurel. You never know, they might ask him to open also. It can happen. The coach has to take the call. Jurel can be the X-factor that India are looking for in Australia. You can try him in the first Test. I know when Rohit Sharma comes back, he will open but why not give a chance to a youngster who has done really well (in the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A in Melbourne).
India A lost four wickets in the first 2-3 overs. The Kookaburra ball stays new (for a while). Jurel showed patience. His defensive technique is very solid. When he played aggressively, he came up with a couple of good shots. I think they should consider him as an opener when Rohit is not there. KL Rahul is also an option, but as you said, he is not in form. That is something Bumrah (stand-in captain for Perth if Rohit is unavailable) will have to think about. As a captain, I think he can take that call.
India’s pace attack did appreciably well on the last two Australia tours when we won the BGT. Do you think it’s a bit thin on experience this time besides Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj?
Prasidh Krishan is bowling well. (All-rounder) Nitish Kumar Reddy is there in Australia. But Akash Deep is doing really well. I think his line and length in Australia will be very effective. The fourth-stump line that we talk about, I think he will be very useful there.