Former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey feels that India vs Australia rivalry can never compete with an India vs Pakistan rivalry. Notably, India and Australia are all set to lock horns in a five-match Test series beginning from November 22. Over the years, two teams have been engaged in several memorable encounters on the cricket pitch.
While India have won the last four Test series played between the two teams, Australia have beaten India back-to-back in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ODI World Cup in 2023. However, despite their numerous intense battles, Hussey feels Australia can never compete with an India vs Pakistan rivalry calling it a ‘unique’ series.
“The Ashes is always very special for an Australian and an English player as well. But, yeah, I’m not sure we can ever compete with India versus Pakistan. That’s a unique series, and the rivalry is obviously very strong there. But yeah, I agree. India has turned themselves into a real powerhouse of world cricket. Australia have been pretty strong over the last 20 or 30 years. So I think the rivalry has really grown. And, two great teams, two great nations, going head to head. That’s what everyone wants to see,” Hussey told Times of India.
India to be without Rohit and Gill in first Test
India have won the last two series in Australia played in 2018-19 and 2020-21 respectively which has further added spice to the rivalry between the two cricketing powerhouses. The Asian giants head into the upcoming series with a lot riding on their shoulders as they need to win four out of the five Tests to qualify to their third successive World Test Championship (WTC) final without depending on other results.
Hence, India are under immense pressure to beat Australia in their den for the third consecutive time. The situation has got worse for the visitors as their captain Rohit Sharma will not be featuring in the first Test after the birth of his baby boy. Star batter Shubman Gill will also not be featuring in the series opener as he injured himself during the team’s match simulation practice at the WACA ground in Perth. Hence, the team management has a lot of gaps to fill in their playing XI for the first Test in Perth.
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