India and Australia will resume their rivalry in the longest format and square off in a four-match Test series starting February 9. The last time two teams locked horns for the coveted trophy, a second-string India created history and registered another series win Down Under. Virat Kohli captained the side in the first match before Ajinkya Rahane took over.
Rohit Sharma, who assisted Rahane in the last two Test matches, will be leading the home team in the series. He replaced Virat Kohli as the Test captain last year. India have the squad that can defeat Australia but the home team will miss out on the services of many players who played a key role in the success Down Under in 2020/21.
From Rishabh Pant to Ajinkya Rahane, here’s a look at star performers from the previous Australia tour who will miss the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant met with an accident on his way to his home in December 2022 and is currently out of action. While nothing is confirmed, reports have suggested that the youngster is likely to stay out of action for the remainder of 2023. Rishabh played a key role in Team India’s series win in 2020/21.
He scored 275 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50. Rishabh remained unbeaten on 89 as India chased down 328 in the fourth innings to seal the series win in Gabba.
Ajinkya Rahane
India made a disastrous start to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and were bowled out for 36 in their second innings of the first Test match. With captain Virat Kohli coming back to India for the birth of his first child, the onus was on Ajinkya Rahane to inspire the team and lead from the front.
The senior batsman scored a gritty century in the first innings of the Melbourne Test match and played a key role in India registering a win. He was dropped from the national squad last year and has been away since then.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah was among many players who were ruled out as the series progressed. Bumrah played 3 matches and missed the all-important Gabba Test match. He scalped 11 wickets in the Test series. He is presently out of action due to a back issue. The right-arm pacer could be available for the last two Test matches of the series.
Hanuma Vihari
Down with a hamstring injury, Hanuma Vihari battled through pain and continued to hold one end as India drew the third Test match. Vihari and R Ashwin jointly batted for 42.4 overs to force a draw. Vihari remained unbeaten on 23 off 161 while Ashwin scored 39 off 128.
Vihari was surprisingly dropped from the Test squad for the South Africa tour. He did make his return but was dropped again for the Bangladesh series. He is presently out of the national squad. Vihari is doing his bit by playing domestic cricket. He batted with a fractured wrist in the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Madhya Pradesh.
Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar only played one Test match on the tour but it was enough for him to leave his mark. Included in the playing XI for the Gabba Test match, debutant Sundar scalped 3 wickets in the first innings and followed up with a half-century. In the 2nd innings, he sent back David Warner for 48. In the chase, Sundar scored a vital 22 off 29. His all-round heroics propelled a depleted Team India to a famous win.
Shardul Thakur
Included in the final XI for the Gabba Test match, Shardul Thakur showed that he is a big-match player with a seven-fer. He made a vital contribution with the bat as well. India were reeling with 186/6 in response to Australia’s first innings score of 369 when Shardul joined Sundar in the middle.
The duo added 123 runs for the seventh wicket to take India beyond the 300-run mark. Shardul scalped 4 wickets as Australia were bowled out for 294 in the second innings. Shardul was part of the Bangladesh tour but has been dropped for the home series.
