From Cummins and Kohli, to Starc and Sharma: the 8 battles to decide Border-Gavaskar series

If there’s one thing we know about the Australia-India rivalry, it’s that there are often battles within the battle. From Cummins and Kohli, to Starc and Sharma, read where the series will be won and have your say.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains the lone piece of silverware not currently held by the Australian Test team, with the drought stretching back to 2015 including two successive defeats on home soil.

For many of the Australian players, revenge is a key motivator for this summer particularly after the majority of this Test team were part of the infamous 2020/21 capitulation.

But if there’s one thing we know about the Australia and India rivalry, it’s that there are often battles within the battle. Head-to-head rivalries, some which have extended beyond a decade, all that will have an impact on how the series is won and lost.

Here are the most enthralling battles we can expect to see this summer:

Who will have the last laugh this summer? Picture: Michael Klein

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Pat Cummins v Virat Kohli

The two goliaths. Cummins has a great record as a big statement bowler and certainly at home in Australia – where he averages 19.69 with the ball – he is near unplayable at times. While Kohli’s record in Australia is outstanding – averaging 54.08 across 13 Tests including six centuries. The batting master simply loves playing in Australia and regardless of his recent form – he averaged just 15.50 in the 3-0 series loss to New Zealand – you can expect he will lift for this series.

Mitchell Starc v Rohit Sharma

The classic battle. Left armer swinging the ball back in to right hand opener. Starc is a special for first over wickets. But his worst Test record is against India where he averages 38.54, so you can expect India to go after him. Enter Rohit – he is the master of blowing attacks off the park. He’s yet to fully conquer Australia, just one Test century in 22 innings with his average on these decks just 33.71, so this will be a big challenge. This rivalry has stretched across all formats. Rohit gave Starc a bath in T20 World Cup match earlier this year. But Starc has that knack and has started the summer in great form.

Josh Hazlewood v Yashasvi Jaiswal

He’s been dubbed the next Kohli and there’s no doubt Jaiswal likes to play a lot of shots. In 14 Test matches he’s already had an unbeaten double century, averages 56.28 at a strike rate of 70.13. But the Indian whiz kid has never played in bouncy conditions like Australia. And he’s never faced anyone like Hazlewood who has patience and at 1.96m tall he generates extra bounce. Hazlewood missed Australia’s tour of India last year, but he was the leader of the attack in 2020/21 when he took two five wicket hauls and 17 wickets for the series.

Steve Smith v Ravichandran Ashwin

A classic match-up. Two greats of their craft. They’ve always had a massive on-field rivalry. In the 2020 series, Ashwin got Smith at the MCG. Smith bounced back with century at the SCG. Smith has always been rated a supreme player of spin bowling as shown by his record against India, averaging 65.87 and nine tons. Ashwin has 39 wickets in 10 Tests at 42.15 in Australia. It’s not the greatest return and he will expect more this series after taking 12 wickets in three Tests last time they toured.

Nathan Lyon v Rishahb Pant

In many ways Pant’s dominance over Lyon defined the Sydney and Brisbane Tests in 2020 that handed India a famous victory. The wicketkeeper turned the series on its head and when you look at his record in Australia – where he averages 62.40 from seven Tests – you can see why he is viewed as a major threat this summer. Lyon, though, has a brilliant record against India, with 121 wickets and two 10-wicket hauls, and is always more dangerous in Australia. Will be after revenge.

Usman Khawaja v Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah is very effective to left-handers and will come around wicket to Khawaja straight away. The right arm quick has been exceptional for many years and few can forget his 6/33 at the MCG in 2018. Khawaja has been Australia’s most consistent batsman for the past couple of years – scoring more than 1000 runs in the calendar year in 2022 and 2023 – and his wicket will be massive for India. Against India, Khawaja’s average drops to 34. With a new opening partner this summer, the Aussie veteran will need a big series.

Marnus Labuschagne v Ravindra Jadeja

Two wiley competitors. Jadeja has had Labsuchagne’s measure in the past. While Labuschagne has been a great player of spin, Australia needs him to have a massive series and he has had just one Test century in 19 innings against India. Jadeja has more Australian wickets to his name than any other nation, taking 89 wickets at 19.25. But he has only played Tests at Sydney and Melbourne, so it will be interesting to see if India go for a two-pronged spin attack any earlier in the series.

Travis Head v Mohammed Siraj

Young Siraj has a very good record against left handers. He has good angles to them. He took 5/73 in the memorable win at the Gabba last series. Head will be looking to take the game on. He has made that No.5 position his own in recent years, with his ability to score quickly putting pressure back on the bowling attack. Head has averaged 50.57 in Australia and has a handy record against India.

Originally published as From Cummins and Kohli, to Starc and Sharma: the 8 battles to decide Border-Gavaskar series