There are three months left until the first match of a five-game series between India and Australia begins, but there is already a lot of excitement about this highly expected tour. India has dominated the Border Gavaskar Trophy for almost seven years, winning the last four series, including two in Australia.
For the first time since 1991-92, this series between the two rivals will consist of five Test matches. Mitchell Starc, a left-arm fast bowler, believes that this series is now as important as the Ashes.
“With five matches, it’s probably just as important as an Ashes series,” Starc said in an interview.
Australia is currently the top-ranked Test team in the world and holds the ICC World Test Championship, which they won by defeating second-ranked India in the final last year.
Australia last won the Border Gavaskar Trophy when India visited in 2014-15, and they haven’t been able to win it since then.
Starc, who has taken 48 wickets in 18 Test matches against India, is hopeful for a different outcome this time.
“We always aim to win every game at home, and we know India is a very strong team,” Starc said. “Currently, we are the top two teams in the Test rankings… so this upcoming series is going to be very exciting for the fans and the players. Hopefully, by January 8th, we will have that trophy back in Australia.”
“…every time I get to wear the Australian cricket cap, it feels very special. Hopefully, I can do it five times this summer with five wins, and we can sing that song five times, then we move forward from there,” he added.
Starc will next play during Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK, but for him, Test cricket remains the top priority. He is just 11 Test matches away from reaching the milestone of 100 matches for Australia.
“If I’m fortunate enough to reach that milestone of 100, it will definitely be quite an achievement,” he mentioned.
“For me, Test matches will always be the top priority,” he continued.
From the UK tour, Pat Cummins is taking a break and will use this time to focus on his fitness in preparation for the upcoming Tests against India.
“Pat is taking a break for this UK tour… we enjoy playing all three formats, but our approach might vary at different times throughout the year,” Starc explained.
“There’s no set end date for our bowling careers. That will depend on how our bodies hold up and our desire to continue. But for now, we’re fully focused on the five Tests against India,” he concluded.
