Australia and India Prepare for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Australian captain Pat Cummins and coach Andrew McDonald are yet to finalize the batting order for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, set to begin in Perth on November 22. Cummins expressed confidence in the team's preparation compared to previous series affected by player bans and the pandemic, highlighting the tightly contested nature of past series. The batting lineup raises concerns, particularly with Steve Smith's struggles as an opener after David Warner's retirement, and Cameron Green's recent injury. Cummins noted the pitches in Australia are now better balanced for both batters and bowlers, expecting a mix of conditions throughout the five-match series. Additionally, Indian captain Rohit Sharma may miss part of the series due to personal reasons, adding further intrigue to the matchup. Both teams are currently at the top of the World Test Championship points table, heightening the stakes for the series.