'I Sense That..': Australia Legend On The Biggest Factor That Will Decide The Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024: Rohit Sharma-led India are due to play ten more matches in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The Indian cricket team will play five home Test games and will later travel to Australia in November for five Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India are the defending champions of the BGT and they haven't lost the title for straight ten years now. Australia last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014.

Matthew Hayden On The Deciding Factor Of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Contrary to Australia's stature and reputation, they have been under the pump in the previous three editions of the BGT. As shocking as it may sound, but two out of their three Test series loss have come on their home soil and they will be eager to change it. Will almost three months to go for the mouthwatering clash, Australia legend Matthew Hayden has shed light on the most important factor that will decide the series.

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'I sense that it's going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. So the best need to stand up in this series; runs are going to be at a premium. And I also feel like the structure of the tournament being from the west to the east is a bit of the unique way that the Australian landscape of cricket is going to be played out. It's usually the other way around. It's going to be a great summer', said Hayden while speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards.

Australian conditions are always considered tough for batters. The extra pace and bounce that is generated by the Australian turfs have always had the batters in trouble. But the Indians too have a great pace bowling attack at their disposal and this nullifies Australia's advantage.

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Australia's Steve Smith Dilemma

After David Warner's international retirement, the Aussies haven't been able to identify someone who can open the batting for them. The Australian management tried to promote Smith and play him as an opener during the Pakistan series, but this move hasn't quite worked for them. It  remains to be seen if the Aussies persist with Smith at the top or send him back to his regular spot of batting number 4.