The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 is all set to go underway in just a few days’ time. The four-match Test series between India and Australia will kick off on the 9th of February in Nagpur. While the Indian Team had already reached Nagpur, the Australian Team has set up their camp in Bangalore.
The excitement for the series among fans and players grows with each passing day. This was clear from Australian star Steve Smith‘s recent statement. The star batter compared the series to the Ashes and stated that a series win in India would be bigger than the Ashes. “If we can win a series in India, that will be bigger than the Ashes series,” Smith said.
The Border Gavaskar Trophy is being played in India for the first time since 2016-17. The Kangaroos took the lead in the first match, defeating India in Pune. However, the Virat Kohli-led team bounced back in the series to win it 2-1.
In fact, India has won the last three series against Australia, including two away from home. India had never won a Test series in India before. The first win came under Kohli in 2018-19. In the following series, the Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian team created history by winning the 2020-21 series 2-1.
The challenge of Steve Smith will be there for Indian cricket: Irfan Pathan
In the meantime, Irfan Pathan praised Smith’s performance against India but chose the India bowler who can turn out to be the key to Smith’s dismissal. Pathan stated that Axar Patel’s trajectory and consistent line of bowling can both benefit Smith significantly.
“The challenge of Steve Smith will be there for Indian cricket but I think one guy, which I have a great feeling, who can actually have the numbers against him is Axar Patel. If he plays regularly all the matches, the kind of trajectory he has, he can be a big threat to him,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
“The line and length he bowls, the straight ball he bowls, he can bring the lbw or bowled into play against Steve Smith, especially because he uses his bottom hand a lot. A bowler who continuously bowls at the stumps can prove to be an alarm bell against such a player that is Axar Patel.”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Smith’s statement
Yeah because he knows it's impossible to win test series in India
— Cricket Crazy (@CrazyinCricket) February 6, 2023
Only because of Ashwin, he is very much afraid with our spinners
— MCUkachamcha (@VGameris) February 6, 2023
He keeps changing his rating every series
— Virender Jamnal (@virendersj) February 6, 2023
BGT >>>> Ashes anyday
— Sankar Mathavan (@sm_talkz) February 6, 2023
HYPE of BGT >>> Ashes ?
— SuryaVirat (@Sudhir44612324) February 6, 2023
First tell him to win a test match in india then rate it
— Shubham (@shubham8bp) February 6, 2023
I won’t call it bigger as Ashes have history attached to it. But in modern time I believe beating India in India is a tough task
— Anil Mogha (@livingdivineus) February 6, 2023
Obviously bcz he has won ashes but not the BGT in India
— Jainam Parekh (@JainamParekh5) February 6, 2023
Pak-zim>>BGT>>Ashes
In my honest book of facts???— Abhinay Sama (@abhinay_sama) February 6, 2023
Smith knows the value of Winning in India unlike their ex players
— Bharbhuti ji (@crickdevil) February 6, 2023
