Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Is India’s pace-attack stronger than Australia’s line-up? | Cricket News – Times of India

Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins (Agency Photos)

NEW DELHI: The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 kicks off at Perth’s iconic Optus Stadium on November 22. Known for its lively pitches offering pace, bounce, and carry, Perth sets the stage for an intense battle between bat and ball.
With Mohammed Shami unavailable for the first Test, the focus is firmly on how India’s relatively inexperienced pace unit measures up against Australia’s seasoned attack in home conditions.
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This clash of pace arsenals will likely shape the series opener, making it imperative to analyze and compare the two teams’ bowling options in detail.
India’s Pace Battery: X-Factors, Promise, and Challenges
India arrive in Perth with a mix of proven performers and young, untested talent.
The absence of Shami shifts the spotlight onto Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as senior leaders of the attack.
With untested players like Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the mix, India’s bowling composition leans on potential rather than experience.
Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah enters this series in scintillating form, having performed brilliantly across formats in 2024. With Rohit Sharma unavailable for the first Test, Bumrah also takes on the captaincy mantle.
As a bowler, his ability to exploit bounce and execute toe-crushing yorkers makes him lethal on Perth’s hard surface. His leadership, combined with his bowling acumen, will be central to India’s hopes of drawing first blood.
Mohammed Siraj

Siraj’s rise as a dependable Test bowler has been one of India’s key developments in recent years. His fiery spells during India’s historic 2020-21 series victory in Australia showcased his ability to thrive under pressure.
Siraj’s ability to generate seam movement and bowl long spells will complement Bumrah well, though his consistency could be tested against Australia’s powerful batting lineup. Siraj has been inconsistent in terms of productivity of late. Thus, he will look to regain form in the crucial five-match series against Australia.
Akash Deep

Akash Deep is an intriguing addition to India’s squad. While his first-class numbers highlight his potential, he has yet to prove himself in international cricket.
A relative newcomer, Akash brings raw pace and aggression, which could unsettle batters unfamiliar with him. However, the pressure of performing against a high-calibre side like Australia on debut will test his mettle.
Harshit Rana

Rana is another exciting prospect who could make his Test debut in Perth.
A seam-bowling all-rounder, Rana has the ability to contribute with the bat and add depth to the lower order. His ability to bowl hard lengths and swing the ball may prove valuable on Perth’s surface, but like Akash, his lack of international exposure is a concern.
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Reportedly set to debut as India’s sole seam-bowling all-rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy adds balance to the side. With Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur not making the cut, Reddy’s inclusion reflects India’s need for versatility.
His domestic performances suggest promise, but facing Australia in their backyard is a baptism of fire.
Australia’s Pace Arsenal: Experience and Home Dominance
Australia’s pace attack is a blend of experience, form, and the ability to exploit home conditions. With Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland in the squad, the hosts boast a lineup that has tormented visiting teams for years. Perth’s pace-friendly surface plays perfectly into their hands, giving them a distinct edge in this department.
Pat Cummins

Cummins, Australia’s captain, is arguably the best Test bowler in the Australian conditions. His ability to generate steep bounce, combined with impeccable accuracy, makes him a nightmare for any batter.
Cummins has enjoyed significant success against India in the past, and his leadership will be pivotal as Australia seek to assert dominance in the series opener.
Josh Hazlewood

For Australian bowling, Hazlewood is the epitome of consistency. Renowned for his precise line and length, he thrives on extracting seam movement, especially on helpful pitches.
Hazlewood’s recent form in 2024 has been exceptional, and his ability to control the run rate while taking wickets adds immense value to Australia’s bowling unit.
Mitchell Starc

Starc’s left-arm pace and ability to swing the new ball make him a formidable force, though his record against India isn’t as strong as his overall numbers.
On Perth’s quick surface, Starc’s raw pace and knack for taking wickets in bursts could trouble India’s batters, particularly the middle order.
Scott Boland

Boland’s meteoric rise in Test cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. His devastating spells during the Ashes displayed his ability to bowl long, probing spells that relentlessly test batters’ technique.
While he hasn’t played much against India, his record at home suggests he could be a significant factor in Perth.
Statistical Comparison (Indian vs Australian top pacers)

While India’s Bumrah stands out for his remarkable consistency, Australia’s collective experience and dominance in home conditions give them a statistical advantage.
Who Has the Edge?
Australia’s depth and familiarity with home conditions make them the favourites in the pace department. Their experienced trio of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Starc, supported by Boland, is arguably the most formidable attack in world Test cricket.
India, however, thrive in adversity. Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance and Mohammed Siraj’s determination provide a solid foundation, while young guns like Akash Deep and Harshit Rana have the potential to surprise.
The battle of the pace attacks will not only shape the Perth Test but set the tone for the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ultimately, India’s ability to match Australia’s pace dominance on their home turf will determine whether this series opener becomes another chapter in their remarkable history of defying the odds.