Australia, currently ranked as the No. 1 Test side, is set to face India in a highly anticipated five-match Test series later this year. The 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on November 22 in Perth, followed by matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and back in Perth for the final game. After facing defeats in the previous two Test series played on Australian soil, the Baggy Greens are eager to put up a strong performance and prevent India from achieving a historic third consecutive series win Down Under.
Even though the series is still two months away, cricket fans in both nations are already engaged in heated discussions about the possible outcomes of the matches. With two of the world’s best teams facing off, excitement is building around key aspects of the series, including individual performances and strategic decisions.
One of the main points of discussion ahead of the series is former Australian captain Steve Smith’s batting position. Steve Smith, who has scored 9685 runs in 109 Tests, opened the innings in Australia’s recent Test series against the West Indies and New Zealand but struggled to make an impact. Speculation is now rife about whether he will return to his preferred No. 4 position for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
When asked about his position, Steve Smith stated that he is open to batting anywhere the team requires. “I have no idea. There are conversations happening in the background,” Smith said. He also mentioned that teammates Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne have expressed their preference for him to bat at No. 4, but Smith remains flexible, saying, “I’ll bat wherever for the team, but we’ll see what happens.”
As Smith looks forward to the upcoming series, he emphasized the significance of the rivalry between India and Australia, calling both teams the best in the world. The five-match Test series is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both sides aiming to assert their dominance in the world of cricket.
