Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Michael Clarke backs Cameron Bancroft to open alongside Usman Khawaja

India are set to begin their Border-Gavaskar Trophy defence next month against Australia. Pat Cummins and Co. will want to reclaim the prestigious title after seven years as they take on Rohit Sharma's men in a five-match Test series.

One of the interesting discussions in the lead-up to the first Test in Perth, starting November 22, revolves around the potential opening partner of Usman Khawaja after Steve Smith had a brief stint at the top of the order. The former Australian captain is set to return to the No. 4 position and this opens the door for the likes of Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, or even the young Sam Konstas to stake their claim.

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has batted for the inclusion of Bancroft, who played the last of his 10 Test matches in 2019. The 31-year-old has been in stunning form in the Sheffield Shield over the last two seasons, where he was the tournament's leading run-getter. Clarke argued that experience and consistency should tip the scales in Bancroft’s favour.

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"I don't think it's fair to pick someone on two games. This is also what I've said about Sam Konstas as well. I think he's a very talented player and I love that he's started the season very well, but just because you get two hundreds doesn't mean you jump someone that's scored 12 hundreds in the past four years, like Bancroft or Harris," Clarke said while speaking on Sky’s Big Sports Breakfast.

I don't think it's fair to pick someone on two games: Michael Clarke

Clarke acknowledged the talent of the 20-year-old Konstas, who has been making waves in the initial stage of his career. However, the legendary cricketer asserted that seasoned campaigners, who have done well over a long period like Bancroft and Harris, deserve to be placed higher in the pecking order.

"They've played first-class cricket for a long time, they've earned the right to be next in line," Clarke added. He suggested that Konstas will get his chance soon, particularly if Khawaja retires at the end of the series.

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Clarke feels that Australian captain Pat Cummins has already decided who will open the batting alongside Khawaja in the Tests against India. The cricketer-turned-commentator rubbished speculations of Bancroft, Harris, and Konstas auditioning for the opener's slot during the Australia A versus India A matches.

"I would be very disappointed if I was captain of the Australian cricket team and I didn't know who was opening the batting right now in that first Test match," Clarke said.