There is a lot of excitement around Australia’s upcoming Test series against India. The reigning World Test Champions will host India in five matches, starting November 22 in Perth.
With nearly a month remaining for the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia skipper Pat Cummins has said that beating India in a Test series is one of the few things that haven't been ticked off in his well-decorated captaincy record.
Cummins has led Australia in only three Tests against India and managed a victory in just one match and that was the all-important ICC World Test Championship final last year.
"I was thinking about it the other day. It’s close to the only thing I haven’t really ticked off. I’ve not beaten India in a Test series yet. A few of the guys have, but I haven’t," Cummins said during an event, as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Cummins boasts of 50 wickets against India in 13 Tests and was the leading wicket-taker in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 21 scalps to his name.
India have won the last two Test series on Australian soil, while they have held onto the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy since March 2017.
Pat Cummins will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders as the Aussies are keen to turn things around in the upcoming series.
"My whole life, you look up to the Australian captain and you know who it is, and you’re like ‘oh wow, they’re so accomplished, and they must have all their shit together. And then suddenly when you are captain, you’re like ‘oh, I’m going to be that type of person. In the initial phases, it was awesome that I had loads of support, and those who had to make the decision chose me and thought I was up for it before I even knew I was myself, I suppose," he remarked.
The team that wins the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be well poised to earn a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s next year. India are currently heading the points table, followed by the defending champions Australia.
After the first Test in Perth, the action will shift to Adelaide (December 6-10), where both teams will face each other in a Day-Night Test. The last three Tests are set to take place in Brisbane (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30), and Sydney (January 3-7).
