Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Sunil Gavaskar predicts 3-1 win for India

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has predicted a 3-1 win for India on their five-match Test tour of Australia, starting in November. The coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be on the line as Australia will look to reclaim the title for the first time since 2017.

India have won the Test series against Australia on their last two trips to The Land Down Under in 2018-19 and 2020-21. The two teams played in the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) last year at The Oval and Australia emerged victorious. In the current WTC cycle, the two teams are once again holding the top two spots.

The team that wins the upcoming five-match series will all but ensure a place for themselves in next year's final. Gavaskar believes that with the kind of talented players present in the two squads, the series will be a great advertisement for the longest format of the game. However, he predicted a 3-1 scoreline favouring Rohit Sharma and Co.

“It's going to be an exciting series for sure with the talent that is there on both sides and it will also show why Test match cricket is the ultimate format of our beloved game.  Oh, and my prediction is a 3-1 win for India,” wrote Gavaskar in his column in the Sunday Mid-day.

Australia tried to open with Steve Smith after David Warner announced his retirement from red-ball cricket. However, the legendary right-handed batter has flattered to deceive in the new role. Gavaskar believes that the hosts could struggle with their opening combination and also their middle order, which he felt was a "bit dodgy".

“With their opening batting problems exacerbated after the retirement of David Warner and the middle-order also a bit dodgy, the Aussies are ripe for the taking once again," the cricketer-turned-commentator wrote.

India being usual slow starters in SENA countries, first Test will be crucial: Gavaskar

Furthermore, Sunil Gavaskar also pointed out that India a slow starter in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. The 75-year-old feels that the first game will be crucial. He also expressed his concerns over the lack of preparatory matches for India ahead of and during the series.

Also Read: 'Onus is on Australia to prove they are the dominant force at home' - Adam Gilchrist previews Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25

"India being usual slow starters in an overseas series in SENA countries the first Test will be crucial. That they aren't playing proper first-class games before that as well as in the week-long gaps between some Test matches could work against them. That said, it is how schedules are nowadays for most touring sides,” he wrote.