Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene has made a bold prediction for the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and hosts India.
For the past eight years, India have dominated the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning both at home and away. Australia’s last toured India in 2017. Despite defeating the home team in the first Test, the tourists lost the four-match series 2-1. In fact, the Aussies have won a Test series in India only twice, in 1969 and 2004.
Australia and India are currently occupying the top two spots in the ICC Test Rankings. They also lead the race to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC), scheduled in June.
During an interview with sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan, former Sri Lanka skipper Jayawardene revealed his favourite team for the upcoming Test series.
“I think it’s always going to be a great series. I think Indian conditions and how the Australian batsmen tackle that, they do have a really good bowling unit and how do the Indian batsmen tackle that… it depends on how each team starts the series and who’s got that momentum. But it will be fascinating,” said Jayawardene.
“It’s difficult to predict, but being a Sri Lankan, I’m hoping that Australia can go all the way. Probably a 2-1 win for Australia, but it’s going to be a tough one,” he added.
The 45-year-old also heaped praises on India youngster Shubman Gill – who has scored lots of runs in white-ball cricket since his debut – and explained how he could play a big role in the series versus Australia.
“He [Gill] has been very good, he’s technically very sound and he’s a good player of pace. That’ll keep him in good stead against that Australian attack, but it’s always going to be tough and it will be a very good series.”
Sharing his thoughts on Gill’s recent form, Jayawardene said: “He is in great form at the moment and if he converts that into red-ball cricket and have that tempo, maturity, understanding of the situations and conditions, he’d be a great asset at the top of the line-up for India. He does give them those good starts at a good tempo to put opposition bowling attacks under pressure.”
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