Sunil Gavaskar advices Indian batters ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Following a disappointing whitewash against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma's India is now focused on the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The recent Test series loss has left the team with a pressing need for improvement as they prepare for this crucial challenge. The defeat in New Zealand has significantly impacted India's standing in the World Test Championship, causing them to lose their position at the top. With a challenging tour of Australia on the horizon, the situation appears daunting for the Indian side. The upcoming series will feature several inexperienced batters who are eager to make their mark and prove themselves on the international stage.

India faces the critical task of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a margin of 4-0 to reclaim their place at the top of the WTC standings. This goal adds extra pressure on the team, highlighting the need for both seasoned players and newcomers to step up. As they look to bounce back from their recent struggles, the players will need to harness their skills and resilience to navigate the challenges posed by a formidable Australian side.

In this high-stakes environment, the focus will be on teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to learn from past mistakes. The series against Australia is not just a battle for pride; it’s also a vital opportunity for the Indian team to reestablish themselves in the race for the World Test Championship title. In light of the upcoming series against Australia, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has shared valuable advice for the young Indian batters. He emphasizes the importance of practicing against fast bowlers to adequately prepare for the challenges that await in Australia.

Gavaskar's insights come after India’s recent struggles in the Test series against New Zealand, where the batting lineup faced difficulties. He believes that spending more time honing skills against pace bowling will help the younger players acclimatize to the conditions in Australia, known for its quick pitches and challenging seam movement. By focusing on this critical aspect of their training, Gavaskar urges the young cricketers to take full advantage of practice sessions to improve their technique and build confidence. This preparation is essential as they aim to perform at their best in the high-stakes Border Gavaskar Trophy.

With Australia presenting a formidable challenge, incorporating targeted practice against pace will not only enhance their skills but also help them adapt to the rigors of international cricket. As the series approaches, the guidance from experienced players like Gavaskar could prove invaluable for the future stars of Indian cricket.

"Just believe in yourself. Practice as much as you can. I think there is some merit in facing throwdowns. But it is more important to play regular bowling. Face the quicker bowlers. Not (Jasprit) Bumrah, of course, because Bumrah can kill you. But you can ask others to bowl from 20 yards instead of 22 yards," Gavaskar told the Indian Express.

"So, therefore, the ball comes onto the bat quickly. And you will get used to it. That is what I would say to the batsmen. In five-day games, you have to be patient and you will score runs. Australian pitches are the best pitches to bat on after the new ball is done. And nowadays, the new ball is only swinging and moving for 10-12 overs,” he added. 

Additionally, Sunil Gavaskar shared his thoughts on the recently canceled match between the Indian team and India A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The former cricketer expressed his belief that the game should not have been scrapped, arguing that it would have offered valuable practice for both sides. Gavaskar emphasized that playing the match could have helped the Indian players gain crucial match fitness and experience, particularly in light of their recent struggles in the Test series against New Zealand. With the upcoming series against Australia presenting significant challenges, he feels that any opportunity to simulate match conditions is vital for the team's preparation.

The cancellation of the game means that the players miss out on an important chance to fine-tune their skills and strategies against a competitive side like India A. Gavaskar's insights highlight the importance of practice matches in a team's buildup to a major series, especially when dealing with the pressures of international cricket. As the Indian squad looks to rebound and strengthen their performance, the opportunity for such practice could have been instrumental in enhancing their readiness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"I really do believe that they should have a warm-up game. In the gaps between Test matches, they really should have warm-up games. Not necessarily for the senior players. But for the junior players who have never played in Australia before," Gavaskar stated.