Legendary Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has named the key match-ups for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Interestingly, Gilchrist did not name Virat Kohli in any of his match-ups.
While Adam Gilchrist did not name Virat Kohli, he named two matchups which will be interesting to watch out for in the upcoming series against Australia. Those two match-ups are Steve Smith vs Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant vs Nathan Lyon.
All these four players are probably the game-changers on their day and could make a huge contribution to the series. All of them are highly skilled in their respective departments but there was no place for Virat Kohli in this list.
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Adam Gilchrist names two match-ups for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Pat Cummins vs Virat Kohli 🔥, Bumrah vs Smith 💯 or Lyon vs Pant 💥… which match up are you most excited to see?
With Australia 🇦🇺 vs India 🇮🇳 just around the corner our latest episode 📺 has an in depth preview of the epic Test Series 🏏
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During a segment on Club Prairie Fire, Adam Gilchrist was asked about the match-ups ahead of the five-match series. He claimed that the match-up between Steve Smith and Jasprit Bumrah will be the one to watch out for.
Steve Smith vs Jasprit Bumrah
During the conversation, Adam Gilchrist hailed Smith’s recent form and claimed that he looked in good form in the two ODIs against Pakistan. He expressed his pleasure on Smith being moved back to No. 4.
“(Jasprit) Bumrah features funnily enough in my line vs Smith. I thought Steve Smith looked quite switched on in the couple of games that he played in those ODIs. He looked like he is ready to knock out a decent summer. So, he will be really happy to be back in his No. 4 position,” Adam Gilchrist said.
Jasprit Bumrah is arguably the best bowler in India’s squad right now, and probably the best bowler in the world as well across formats. Bumrah has been exceptional in the past year or so and has been instrumental in India’s success.
He is an experienced bowler as he has already played two-Test series in Australia. India went on to win both the series. Being a spearhead of the bowling attack, Bumrah will be expected to be a threat to Australia’s best batter Steve Smith, who has been a trouble for India over the years.
Rishabh Pant vs Nathan Lyon
The second match-up predicted by Adam Gilchrist is Rishabh Pant vs Nathan Lyon. Adam Gilchrist reckoned that the battle between these two players was full of entertainment last time. He lauded the skills of both the players and wondered who would come out on top.
“The other one and this was quite entertaining last time they were out here. Rishabh Pant vs Nathan Lyon! That’s just the GOAT (Greatest of all time) as far as offspring is concerned from an Australian point of view,” Adam Gilchrist noted.
“Does he throw it up there, does he try and draw him out of the crease, does he go flat? Rishabh can even go through the gears as quickly as anyone from complete defense to all-out assault and attack on a bowler. So, that’ll be fascinating,” he claimed.
The battle between these Rishabh Pant and Nathan Lyon has been fascinating to watch over the years. While Pant claimed an edge over Lyon the last time they played in Australia, the battle promises to be a fascinating one this time.
Lyon has been excellent to the left-handed batters over the years and will be looking to dismiss Pant as early as possible. However, it won;e be easy for him as Pant is in great form in red-ball cricket and enjoys batting in Australia.
While these are the match-ups to watch out for, Virat Kohli could emerge as a big threat to Australia as well. The 36-year-old might not be in great form but can bounce back whenever he is at his lowest.
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