Team India is poised to embark on a challenging tour of Australia, aiming to secure their third consecutive Test series victory on foreign soil. However, the Aussies are determined to halt India’s momentum and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the opening Test in Perth, the onus will fall on the rest of the Indian batting lineup to deliver. Virat Kohli, India’s batting mainstay, will be under immense pressure to rediscover his form. Despite his impressive record in Australia, Kohli has struggled in recent times, averaging a mere 22.72 in six matches in 2024.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes that Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will play pivotal roles in India’s quest for victory. “Virat Kohli’s record in Australia is phenomenal,” Clarke said. “If India are to win this series, it has to be Virat Kohli leading run scorer with Rishabh Pant just behind.”
Kohli has played two Tests in Perth, scoring a half-century in each innings in 2012 and a century in 2018. He will be eager to start the series strongly and set the tone for India’s batting.
Pant, known for his fearless approach, played a match-winning knock in the fourth Test of India’s last tour of Australia at the Gabba in 2021. His unbeaten 89 off 138 balls helped India chase down 328 runs on the fifth day, securing a historic victory at a venue where Australia had been undefeated for 32 years.
India’s ultimate goal is to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final, scheduled for Lord’s in June 2025. The team will need to overcome the challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions and facing a determined Australian side.
