"The one big thing that I want to tick off" - Pat Cummins desperate to beat India in upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Australia's Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins has admitted that beating India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is 'one big thing' that he wants to 'tick off'. He asserted that the Aussies are confident of doing well in the upcoming Test series against India at home.
While he has some glorious cricketing achievements to his credit, Cummins has never been part of an Australian side that has beaten India in a Test series. The Aussies last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014, when they beat India 2-0 at home. However, Cummins was not part of that series.
India have won the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophy contests, two of the triumphs coming Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Speaking to AAP, the fast bowler admitted that he wants a Test series triumph against India to be part of his impressive resume. Cummins said (as quoted by Cricbuzz):
"It's kind of the one big thing that I want to tick off. Particularly winning at home. Most Australians, me included, expect us to do well whenever we play at home.
"We've lost the (last) two series against them (in Australia), so this is a big one. We feel like our team's in a really good place, so we've got no reason why we shouldn't perform really well. I just always expect us to do well against whoever we play. But India, particularly, is a big year, big season," the experienced fast bowler added.
India beat Australia by 2-1 margins Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21. When the Aussies visited India in 2023, the hosts clinched the four-match series 2-1.
"Our job is to try and keep them quiet" - Pat Cummins on Border-Gavaskar Trophy challenge
While India have done exceptionally well against Australia in Tests over the last few years, Rohit Sharma and Co. might be a bit short of confidence heading into the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy after New Zealand created history by registering their maiden Test series win in India.
Cummins admitted that playing an under-confident India might not be a bad thing, but added that they will come hard at the visitors nevertheless.
"I think any time a team's under pressure, it's not a bad thing if you're playing against them. But they've been out here before and performed well. Our job is to try and keep them quiet, see how we go," the Australian captain said.
The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will kick off with the opening Test at Perth from November 22 to November 26.