A group of Indian cricketers began their journey to Australia on Sunday night for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. The team departed from Mumbai Airport.
The first match of the series starts in Perth on November 22. This series holds significant importance as it could determine which team qualifies for the World Test Championship 2025 final.
Among the first group were fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar also accompanied them. All-rounder Washington Sundar, middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan, and opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal were also part of this initial group.
Jaiswal interacted with fans before departing, signing autographs and shaking hands.
Watch: India’s cricket team embarks on Australia journey from Mumbai
This series is crucial for India’s World Test Championship hopes after a recent series loss. Their points percentage now stands at 58.33%, trailing Australia in the standings. India must win at least four of the five Tests to remain in contention for the championship.
This series marks a historic occasion. It will be the first time India and Australia will play a five-Test series on Australian soil since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy‘s inception.
Rohit Sharma will captain the Indian team, with Jasprit Bumrah as his deputy. The squad includes Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
Rishabh Pant returns as wicketkeeper alongside newcomer Dhruv Jurel.
Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar make up the spin attack.
The pace attack features Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.
The first Test begins on November 22 in Perth. Adelaide hosts the second Test starting December 6, followed by Brisbane on December 14. The Boxing Day Test takes place in Melbourne on December 26. The final Test begins on January 3, 2025, in Sydney.
Australia squad for the first Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.