"I do think Australia have the upper hand" - Dinesh Karthik on the upcoming 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik feels the Australians hold the upper hand in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against India. The two teams will battle each other over five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22.
Australia defeated India in the most recent Test meeting at the World Test Championship (WTC) final last year. However, roles have been reversed in bilateral Test series between the sides over the past decade.
India has triumphed in the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophies, including two in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Speaking about the upcoming edition on his HeyCB with DK show, Karthik was quoted by News18 as saying:
"I can’t tell the exact score line, but I do think Australia have the upper hand. It’s going to be very hard for India to beat them on Australian shores for the third time on the bounce. It’s no easy task. But if India do it, it will be one of the greatest things the Indian cricket team has ever achieved, no doubt about it."
India are currently playing Bangladesh in a two-Test series at home, winning the first Test by 280 runs.
Meanwhile, Australia are involved in a white-ball tour of England and lead the ongoing five-match ODI series 2-0.
"It’s not by chance they won the World Test Championship last time" - Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik cautioned India about the Australian challenge, stating that the Aussies are in form and holders of the WTC title.
Both teams are on course to play again in the 2025 WTC finale, considering they sit at the top two positions in the standings.
In an event last week, Karthik said as quoted by Insidesport:
"The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a challenge for India. They will face an in-form Australian side. It’s not by chance they won the World Test Championship last time. They are an excellent team at home. But knowing our team, and the kind of resilience, grit, and determination that our players have, it will be a series that will be wonderful to watch."
Australia's last red-ball series came in New Zealand earlier this year when they dispatched the Black Caps by a 2-0 margin.
On the other hand, India defeated an in-form English side 4-1 at home before the ongoing Bangladesh series. They will play New Zealand in a three-Test home series before the Australian battle.