Published: December 13, 2024
New Delhi: With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, Team India is focused on making an impact in the crucial third Test starting Saturday (December 14) at Brisbane’s Gabba, Australia’s fortress in Test cricket. After a challenging outing in Adelaide, India’s batters are determined to reverse their first-innings woes and set the tone for the remainder of the series.
Shubman Gill, India’s No. 3 batter, emphasized the importance of strong first-innings performances during the pre-match press conference.
Focus on Big First Innings Totals
Gill, who missed the opening Test due to a finger injury but returned for the Adelaide Test, outlined the team’s strategy to post substantial scores upfront.
“As a batting group, we are looking to post a big total first up. That’s been the key discussion, and every batter has his own game plan,” said Gill.
India’s first-innings struggles have been evident this series. After electing to bat first in Perth, they were bundled out for 150, relying on a superb bowling performance led by Jasprit Bumrah to stay in the game. In Adelaide, despite winning the toss, India managed only 180 in their first innings, falling prey to a fiery spell from Mitchell Starc.
Treating the Series as a Three-Match Contest
Despite the setbacks, Gill stressed that the team remains optimistic and is treating the series as a three-match contest.
“Adelaide Test, we didn’t do well, but the series is still 1-1. We will treat it as a three-match Test series, and if we win this one, we will have the advantage going into Melbourne and Sydney,” he added.
A victory in Brisbane would allow India to head into the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with momentum on their side.
Brisbane Challenge and Team India’s Goals
The Gabba, known for its pace and bounce, is a stronghold for Australia, who haven’t lost a Test at the venue since 1988. For India, adapting to the conditions and overcoming their first-innings batting vulnerabilities will be key.
India’s bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has shown glimpses of brilliance, but the challenge will be to support their efforts with a solid batting display.
As the action moves to Brisbane, cricket fans eagerly await to see if India can break Australia’s stronghold and take the lead in this enthralling series.
Stay tuned to the Board of Sports in India (BOSI) website for live updates and expert insights on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
