Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Daniel Pockett – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Australia last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014-15. Since then, they have lost four editions of the series, including two at home and as many in India with the latest being 2022-23 in India.
Ahead of the impending series Down Under, Australia captain Pat Cummins has said that the 2018-19 edition, where they hosted India and lost the series by 2-1 has hurt him the most. On that tour, India won the first Test in Adelaide by 36 runs before losing the one in Perth by146 runs. The visitors then won the Melbourne Test by 137 runs while Australia could only manage a draw in fourth Test in Sydney to conceded the series 2-1. Recalling that, Cummins quipped that the team was outplayed by India.
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“I actually thought that the series before was worse. We got completely beaten. Whereas that series (2020-21) was quite tightly fought, I thought, and they played fantastically well to win at the Gabba. Whereas before, we were completely outplayed. That one hurt more for me,” Cummins said on the Grade Cricketers podcast on YouTube.
By far, this is my biggest achievement: Virat Kohli
The series was a crucial one from Indian team’s point of view. They had not won a series in Australia in 82 years of playing cricket with them until 2019. Cheteshwar Pujara was ithe start of the show as he scored 521 runs in the series. Pujara’ standout performance was his 193-run knock in Sydney. In the bowling department, Jasprit Bumrah led from the front with 21 wickets at an average of 17.
“By far, this is my biggest achievement. It’s at the top of the pile. When we won the 2011 World Cup, I was the youngest member of the side. Saw everyone emotional there, but I didn’t feel it. Here, after coming three times, this win means something else,” India captain, Virat Kohli said after the fourth Test.