After the exhilarating Border-Gavaskar Trophy series of 2024-25, former England captain Michael Vaughan has unveiled his combined Australia-India XI, a lineup that has ignited lively debates among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Australia’s triumph over India in the high-stakes series played a pivotal role in shaping Vaughan’s selections. His team showcases some of the most remarkable performances from the fiercely competitive encounters, offering a blend of young talent and experienced stalwarts who left an indelible mark on the tournament.

Young openers

Sam Konstas: A surprising yet promising choice by Vaughan, highlighting his confidence in the young batter’s potential. Konstas made his Test debut in the high-pressure Melbourne match and showcased maturity beyond his years, scoring 113 runs across two games. His composed 60 in his debut innings caught the cricketing world’s attention, proving that he belongs on the international stage.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Jaiswal’s consistent performances and ability to adapt to different conditions earned him a well-deserved spot at the top. The young Indian opener was the leading run-scorer for the visitors, accumulating an impressive 391 runs at an average of 43.44. His tally included two fifties and a scintillating century, under??lining his knack for building innings under pressure.

Dynamic middle order

KL Rahul: P?laced at No. 3 by Vaughan, Rahul showcased his experience and versatility throughout the series. The Indian batter contributed significantly, amassi?ng 276 runs, including two gritty fifties. His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating when needed made him a vital cog in the lineup.

Steve Smith: Vaughan opted for Australia’s Steve Smith at No. 4, a position the former captain has made his own. Smith was instrumental in Australia’s success, scoring 314 runs, whic??h included two masterful centuries that demonstrated his unparalleled skill and temperament in Test cricket.

Travis Haad: The star Australian batter Travis Head cemented his place in the combined XI with a phenomenal series, topp?ing the run charts. Head amassed 448 runs, featuring one fifty and two commanding centuries, underlining his dominance and reliability in the middle order.

Also READ: Here’s the updated WTC 2023-25 points table af?ter India loses the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Austr??alia

Wicketkeeper and all-rounder

Rishabh Pant: For the wicketkeeping role, Vaughan trusted India’s dyn?amic Rishabh Pant. The 27-year-old delivered under pressure, scoring 225 runs across the series. Pant’s fearless batting and ability to rescue his side from precarious situations made him an invaluable asset to the team.

Ravindra Jadeja: A natural choice at No. 7, Jadeja brought his all-round brilliance to V?aughan’s XI. The seasoned Indian player contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 135 runs in three Tests while also claiming four cru?cial wickets. Jadeja’s versatility added depth and balance to the side.

Bowling attack brilliance

Jasprit Bumrah: Leading the bowling? attack, Bumrah was the standout performer of the series and a u?nanimous choice for Vaughan’s XI. The Indian pacer was named Player of the Series after a stellar performance that saw him take 32 wickets, often delivering match-winning spells.

Pat Cummins: Austral??ia’s captain and spearhead bowler, Pat Cummins, was an automatic inclusion. He ended the series as the second-highest wic?ket-taker with 25 scalps, consistently delivering under pressure and leading his team with aplomb.

Mitchell Starc: Known for his lethal pace and ability to strike e??arly, Starc played a pivotal role in dismantling opposition batting line-ups. The left-arm quick finished the series with 18 wickets, showcasing his knack for providing breakthroughs when his team needed them the mo??st.

Scott Boland: Boland’s inclusion in Vaughan’s XI was well-earned, thanks to his accuracy and cruc??ial contributions in the series�final stages. The Australian seamer claimed 21 wickets, underlining his effectiveness in exploiting the conditions and adding depth to the formidable bowling unit.

Also Read: AUS vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah breaks silence on his ??injury and India’s performance in?? BGT 2024-25

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Test Cricket has time and again, given us the thrill and excitement to its stature. Another such glorious incident came during the second and final Test match between South Africa and Pakistan. By the end of the third day of the match the names of Babar Azam and Pakistan skipper Shan Masood included in the history b??ooks as they registered the highest opening?? wicket partnership after follow-on is enforced upon a team.

5 highest opening partnerships during a follow-on in Tests

(5) Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton (England):

The England opening pair – Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton – achieved the milestone in the 3rd Test match of India’s 1990 tour of England which included 3 Tests and 2 ODI matches between the two nations and several tour games in between. Both teams arrived at The Oval with different ambitions, while England set their eyes to win the series, after their convincing win in the first Test match at the Lord’s. India aimed to win the match and draw the series.

However, it was the visitors who had a dream start to the match by declaring their first innings on 606/9 with emphatic knocks from Ravi Shastri and Kapil Dev. In response, the England batters failed to match India’s intensity with the bat a??nd were ?bowled out for 340 runs thus enforcing a follow-on.

The home side desperately needed to put runs on-board to save the match which is exactly what the English opening pair did. The two batters had a 176 run partnership before Gooch was dismissed by Narendra Hirwani on 88 runs. The strong start motivated other English batters and in a brave effort England added a total of 477 f?or the loss of 4 wickets before declaring the innings and the match ?ended in a draw. Thus, England won the 3-match Test series 1-0.

(4) Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan (England):

The English opening batters added another high score for the opening wicket after a follow-on was enforced on them. This time it was in 2004 at St??. John’s against the West Indies.

West Indies had already made this match memorable after Brian Lara scored an unbeaten 400 runs and scripted history. With the help of ??a remarkable knock from the skipper, West Indies managed to put up a mammoth 751 runs before declaring their innings.

In response, the visitors were disappointed with the bat in the first innings and were bowled out for 285 runs. Thus enforcing a follow-on. Desperate to save themselves from a humiliating loss, the English opening batters gave a solid start in the second innings and added 182 runs for the opening wicket. Trescothick contributed 88 off 188 balls before getting dismissed by Fidel Edwards. This helped Engl???and put 422 runs on the board in their second innings and save the match.

(3) Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes (Bangladesh):

Bangladesh were met with a determined England si?de in the opening Test match of their 2010 tour of England at the Lord’s. The home si??de made 505 runs in their first innings and bowled out Bangladesh for 282 runs thus forcing Bangladesh to bat once again in their quest to come near to the grand total.

The Bangladeshi opening pair put together a brave resistance to the damp English conditions and relentless attack from pacers James Anderson, Tim Bresnan and Steve Finn. Iqbal scored a heroic 103 runs off 100 balls before Fin?n got rid of the opening batter. To?gether with Kayes, the opening pair added 185 runs to their team’s total.

Howev??er, their brave resistance as the visitors could only give England a target of 160 runs which the home side managed to achieve for the loss of just 2? wickets.

Also WATCH: Frustrated Wiaan Mulder throws ball at Babar?? Azam in heated exchange on Day 3 of 2nd Test �SA vs PAK

(2) Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie (South Africa):

Two of the finest Test playing nations faced each other during South Africa’s 2008 tour of England at the Lord’s for the opening Test match. England, batting first, had a dream run in their first innings and scored 593/8 before declaring their innings. South Africa had a grim start to the tour in response as they were bowled out ??for 247 runs in their first innings.

Trailing by 346 runs, the home side enforced a follow-on. The Proteas in their second innings stood out and?? faced the English onslaught. Openers Smith and McKenzie ad??ded 204 runs between them. Smith made 107 runs before Anderson took his wicket. McKenzie, on the other hand, went on to score 138 runs off 447 balls. The brave response from the visiting side came to fruition as the match ended in a draw.

(1) Babar Azam and Shan Masood (Pakistan):

The record for the highest opening partnership in a follow-on was broken by the opening pair?? of Pakistan skipper Masood and Azam as Pakistan played the final Test match of their South Africa tour in Cape Town. The Proteas had put together a gigantic total of 615 runs in their first innings and wrapped up Pakistan’s first innings on 194 runs.

Pakistan needed a strong batting effort to save the match while playing a follow-on. Azam started the second innings with Masood due to opener Saim Ayub’s unavailability. The two Pakistani batters played the South African pacers displaying exemplary tempera??ment and added 206 runs between them on the third day of the match to shatter the record.

Towards the dying moments of Day 3, Azam gave his wicket away to Marco Jansen and the historic partnership came to an end. Khurram Shehzad and Masood are currently on the crease for Pakistan as the visitors trail b??y 208 run?s.

Also Read: Fans erupt as Babar Azam and Shan Masood’s towering partnership ??keeps Pakistan alive ??after follow-on by South Africa in the Cape Town Test

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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has delivered unparalleled drama and surprises, keeping cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. With Australia leading the series 2-1 after a dominant display in Melbourne, the stakes are sky-high as the action shifts to Sydney. The upcoming fifth Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7 will be the ultimate decider – whether India retains the co??veted trophy or Australia reclaims it after years of longing.

Melbourne Test: A tale of missed opportunities

India’s valiant effort in the Melbourne Test was undone by a catastrophic collapse in the final session, where they lost seven wickets for just 34 runs. The heroics of Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar provided glimpses of hope, but they could not stave off defeat. Australia’s resounding win in the Boxing Day Test has left the Indian camp with everything to play for in Sydney. Rohit Sharma and his men are now in a must-win scenario to keep their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 fina?l ho?pes alive while ensuring the BGT remains in their grasp.

High stakes in the Sydney finale

The Sydney Test holds immense significance for both teams. For India, a victory would mean retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and staying in contention for a spot in the 2025 WTC final. On the other hand, Australia will look to close the series with a historic triumph, ending their series drought against India on home soil. The clash promises to be a high-octane battle, with the v??isi?tors aiming for redemption and the hosts looking to cement their dominance.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Michael Clarke predicts Sydney Test as a farewell game f??or an Australian veteran

Predictions from Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist

As excitement builds for the decisive Test, cricketing legends Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist have weighed in on their expectations, providing a clear vote of confidence in the Australian team. Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast, both experts predicted an Australian victory in the final Test ov??er India. With the BGT and a place in the WTC final at stake, Gilchrist and Vaughan firmly believe Australia’s hunger for victory will pr?opel them to a series-clinching win.

Vaughan, known for his incisive cricketing insights, declared confidently, “Australia, and that will be 3-1,”. Gilchrist, one of the most influential players in cricket history, aligned with Vaughan’s prediction, stating, “Australia, I think Australia,”.

Also READ: No Mitchell Marsh in Australia’s playing XI for the SCG Te??st aga?inst India; replacement announced

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In a recent analysis that has sparked widespread discussion among cricket enthusiasts, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan shared their thoughts on one of the most debated topics in the cricketing world: the greatest Indian batters of all time. With their extensive experience and deep knowledge of the game, both Shastri and Vaughan have offered their insights i??nto who should occupy the top spots in this prestigious list.

Their picks have ignited conversations across social media and ne?ws platforms, with fans and experts alike eager to hear the reasoning behind their selections. The two cricketing legends have provided valuable perspectives on how these players have shaped Indian cricket and their influence on the global stage.

Ravi Shastri’s trio of legends

Shastri, with his deep-rooted knowledge of Indian cricket, names Sachin Tendulkar as his number one. Tendulkar’s record-breaking career, including his 100 international centuries, earns him the top spot. Shastri emphasizes Tendulkar’s unmatched technique and adaptability, which made him a formidable opponent in any format or condition.

“Sachin Tendulkar, for sheer longevity. When you play 200 Test matches you’re 24 years in the game you know you’ve got more runs than anybody else. I saw greatness from 22 yards there just the movement in the crease the balance, the power in his shots that he played on the up was something fabulous to see and you go across formats not many people get a 100 International hundreds in fact he’s the only one to get 100 International hundreds, special,” said Shastri on Fox Cricket.

Coming in second for Shastri is Sunil Gavaskar, known for his defensive prowess and ability to bat long innings. Gavaskar’s contribution to Indian cricket in its formative years in Test cricket, with 34 centuries, cements his place among the greats.

“I think the best opening batter I’ve seen in Test match cricket, Sunil Gavaskar. I say that because I mean this is the pre helmet era, to play the best quicks in the world a watertight technique. You could sleep in the dressing room if Sunny got into the 30s. Once he gets in, he would convert and he was a terrific player in all conditions and especially Test match cricket, I mean special, absolutely special,” added Shastri.

Shastri rounds out his list with Virat Kohli, highlighting his aggressive approach, consistent performance, and leadership that has redefined Indian cricket in recent times. Kohli’s records across all formats are a testament to his skill, fitness, and determination.

“I think the most dominant batter of the last decade across all formats of the game. I think Virat Kohli for me because just his ability to dominate attacks world class attacks and uh for that period of time and he’s not finished yet,” Shastri added further.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli’s off-stump woes ignite ‘Happy Retirement�trend on social media | MC??G Test

Michael Vaughan’s pick of India’s batting elite

Vaughan echoed Shastri’s sentiment by placing Tendulkar at the top. Vaughan lauded Tendulkar for his technical brilliance and the vast array of records he holds, particularly his ability to evolve with the game.

“Number one Sachin Tendulkar. I think again across all the formats he was just a joy to watch play he just had so much control on front foot back foot in defense in attack and Yorkshire. We take credit for Sachin, he came over when he was 19 or 20 he had a tile beer or two and look at what he produced a magnificent player,” said Vaughan.

Kohli finds a place in Vaughan’s list as well, recognized for his run-chasing ability, game-changing performances, and his impact on the global stage. His leadership has coincided with India’s rise in world cricket.

“Virat Kohli. I mean Test match cricket he’s wonderful he’s not been in that the greatest of form of late but over the last 10 years he’s just been able to dominate all the different bowlers around the world in all the different conditions and in my opinion he’s the greatest chaser in white cricket. I don’t think there’s been a better player that can make the chase look so easy he just seems to have the ability to read the situation not exactly the kind of the equation that he needs to get to, yeah he’s my number two Virat Kohli,” added Vaughan.

Surprisingly, Vaughan includes young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal, pointing towards the future. Jaiswal’s recent performances in domestic and international cricket have showcased a talent that Vaughan believes will define the next decade of Indian cricket, highlighting his technique, temperament, and potential.

“My number three is a young player that I’ve only seen for two years and that’s Yashasvi Jaiswal he’s in my top three that I’ve seen. This young player already is a superstar across all the formats and I’m convinced over the next 10 years he’s going to be the global superstar not just in India but across the globe in all the different formats 2020 cricket, 50 over cricket, Test match cricket, the IPL, we’re going to see so much of this young player and I’ve seen enough in two years to put him in my top three,” Vaughan added further.

Also READ: Fans react as Australia go 2-1 up aft??er dramatic win over India in the B??oxing Day Test

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