"Lot of people talk about Rishabh Pant in the last series in Australia, but the guy who won them the series was Pujara" - Tim Paine on 2020-21 BGT
Former Australian captain Tim Paine felt India's No.3 batter Cheteshwar Pujara was the key reason for their triumph in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy over Rishabh Pant. After missing the series opener in Adelaide that saw India suffer an eight-wicket defeat, Pant played the next three Tests.
The southpaw scored 274 runs at an average of 68.50 with two half-centuries, including a 97 and 89* in the final two Tests at Sydney and Brisbane to help India complete a thrilling 2-1 series win. Meanwhile, Pujara scored 271 runs at an average of 33.87 in the four Tests with three half-centuries.
Yet, his facing 928 balls in the series ensured the Aussie bowlers were often worn out while bowling to the Indian middle and lower order.
Recalling the 2020-21 series in The Grade Cricketer Podcast, Paine was quoted as saying by India Today:
"What I do remember, a lot of people talk about Rishabh Pant in the last series in Australia, but the guy who won them the series was Pujara. He wore us down, he wore our fast bowlers down. He kept getting hit on the body, but he kept getting up. There is still place for that in Test cricket."
While Pant walked away with most of the plaudits during his 97 to save the Sydney Test, Pujara scored a 205-ball 77 in the same innings. Even in the stunning run-chase of 328 in the series decider at Brisbane, Pujara's 211-ball 56 set the base for Pant's heroic 89*.
The veteran right-hander was also the Player of the Series in India's 2-1 victory in the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.
"Shami is going to be a huge difference" - Tim Paine
Tim Paine felt that the absence of ace pacer Mohammed Shami is a massive blow to India's chances in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Shami has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury that required surgery. The 34-year-old hasn't been named in the Indian squad for the Australian Test tour since his recovery isn't complete.
"Shami is going to be a huge difference, Bumrah, there is so much on his shoulders. If he gets hurt, then it's curtains for me," Paine said in the same interaction.
The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played over five Tests with the series opener starting in Perth on November 22.