Perth: The eagerly awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy is poised to commence on November 22 in Perth, with India readying to face Australia in what is anticipated to be a dynamic start to the series. The absence of the regular captain, Rohit Sharma, presents a challenge, yet Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed as the new captain, injecting a fresh perspective into the team.
Nevertheless, the spotlight remains on Virat Kohli. The renowned all-rounder, celebrated for his unyielding determination and outstanding performance, has garnered attention both on and off the field. During a pre-match press conference, India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, expressed his admiration for Kohli's contribution to the team.
"The level of intensity and professionalism he brings is unparalleled, always pushing himself to excel in the nets," Morkel highlighted Kohli's dedication.
For a team filled with emerging talent, Kohli's methodology serves as a beacon of inspiration.
"Witnessing that, it elevates the game for the younger players," Morkel noted, emphasizing how Kohli's commitment sets a standard for his peers.
With Kohli in peak form and Bumrah at the helm, India is poised to make a strong impression in their campaign. The team will also depend on its formidable bowling attack to counter Australia's strong lineup.
Following the series opener in Perth on November 22, the second Test, which will feature the day-night format, is scheduled to take place at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10.
The attention of the fans will then shift to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test from December 14 to 18.
The traditional Boxing Day Test, set to be held from December 26 to 30 at Melbourne's iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, will conclude the series' penultimate stage.
The fifth and final Test is scheduled at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising an exhilarating finale to a highly anticipated series.
India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.
Australia squad for the first Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
