New Delhi, Sep 17
Pakistan Test head coach Jason Gillespie has backed Australia to beat India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, citing the strength of their bowling quartet -- Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
India enter this year’s series riding high on their dominance in recent Border-Gavaskar contests, having won the last four series encounters, including two historic series wins on Australian soil in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Australia have not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series since 2014-15, when they won 2-0 on home soil.
"They are the best bowlers in the country. Their records speak for themselves. This quartet, including Nathon Lyon, is the best possible bowling attack that Australia can put out in the park. I will be backing them in and I am sure they can do the job," Gillespie said.
Australia’s last Test series win on Indian soil dates back to 2004-05. They failed to clinch the trophy in the four-Test meeting last year after losing the series 2-1.
"India, they are red-hot, they have been playing some wonderful Test cricket for a while now. Even though they have beaten Australia in recent times. I think Australia have a chance to beat India this time around," he added.
There has been much debate about whether Steve Smith should continue opening for Australia or return to the middle order. Gillespie believes the veteran batter should bat at No. 4 for the team.