India vs Australia 2023: Top 5 Players To Watch Out For In The Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Border Gavaskar Trophy is a Test cricket series played between the mighty Australians and the Men in Blue Indians. These two giants of the game indulge in cricketing combat with alternative editions played in India and Australia.
This year Four test matches will be played from February 9 to March 13 at Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad. These matches will be the part of WTC 2021-23 final cycle.
The first edition of the game was played in the year 1996-97 when India hosted its first edition. The trophy is named after the two cricketing legends of the 2 participating nations, Sunil Gavaskar and Sir Allan Border. The latest edition will be played from 9th February 2023 after 2020-21.
With India heading forward for their WTC Final qualification chances and Australia looking to register a series win in the subcontinent, let’s look at the top 5 players who are expected to excel in the upcoming tournament.
5. Usman Khawaja
One of the most consistent players for Australia since his return to the squad. Featured in the ICC Test side as the first-choice opener with 1000+ runs, he is Australia’s biggest prospect this year for the India tour, as he is a great player of spin and the most orthodox cricketer for slow pitches.
Khawaja is currently the 8th ranked Test player in the world and among Indian batters, only Rishabh Pant (7) is ranked above him. This shows how much of a comeback Khawaja has shown in form in the last few months. We expect that the opener will be one of the most important players for Australia in this upcoming series.
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4. Steve Smith
This name can’t be left out often when it comes to testing cricket. Smith has been the most consistent performer in Test cricket, with a record career average above 60. The classic Aussie batter has been a stellar performer for Australia and has been equally good playing in the subcontinent. The middle-order batter is one of the firmest pillars in the Australian batting order.
Steve Smith has recently run riot in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League. Although it is unfair to compare his performances in the shortest and the longest formats of the game, we can see that the Aussie batter has upped his game and Team India will definitely be scared of his massive potential. We all know what Smith can do at his best.
3. Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne has been a standout player in tests since his debut for Australia. Labuschagne is the world’s no.1 ranked Test better currently, with him featuring for the 2nd time in ICC Playing 11 for tests for 2 consecutive years. Labuschagne is one of the most formidable test players in the world presently and is a great candidate in Australian cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne has been Australia’s best and the most dependable batsman in a long while and he proved the same in the last test series against India as well. He is expected to repeat his stellar performances this time as well.
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2. Shubman Gill
The legit Indian opener has made the most of his chances in whichever format he has been given a chance to play in. Gill is currently the most in-form batter for India, as he has ruled the ODI format like a king and shown equal prominence in the shorter format with a roaring century against New Zealand in the final ODI this year.
After consolidating his hold on limited-overs cricket, it would now be hoped that Gill would strengthen his performance in the longer format with the continuation of his terrific form from the 50 and 20-over formats. Gill can hence be expected to be India’s most promising player, especially in the absence of India’s most resistant test performer, Rishabh Pant.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli emerged as one of India’s most compatible batters in the longer format while also becoming the anchor of their middle order. In a few years, Kohli’s performance was not up to the mark but there is no doubt that he has been a sizzling performer in the Tests for India when all the big guns proved to be nuts. In the absence of Pant, Virat Kohli would be entrusted with the role of securing the innings in the middle order.
Virat Kohli is currently India’s one of the most reliable performers for the upcoming series due to his overwhelming form.