“India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick” – Wasim Jaffer on India’s chances of winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer feels India will have a great opportunity to complete their hat-trick of wins on the upcoming tour of Australia. India is all set to tour Downunder, later in the year and the Rohit Sharma-led team will look to come up with a collective effort.

Jaffer reckons if the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj could stay healthy and fit, it would boost India’s chances of winning the Test series on Australian soil.

India won their maiden Test series in Australia on the 2018-19 tour under the leadership of Virat Kohli. Subsequently, on the 2020-21 tour, India had their backs against the wall after losing the opening Test, following their 36-run debacle at Adelaide.

However, Ajinkya Rahane led Virat Kohli-less team to a historic Test series win in the absence of big names despite the fact that India was hampered with injury woes.

Answering a fan question on X, Jaffer wrote, “If Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj stay fit and are able to play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under. Arshdeep could bring the left-arm option. And Mayank Yadav dark horse provided he’s fit and available.”

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj will hold the key for the team. Siraj had picked 13 wickets in three Test matches on the previous tour of Australia, including a five-wicket haul at the Gabba.

On the other hand, Bumrah scalped 21 wickets in four Test matches whereas Shami bagged 16 wickets in many games on the 2018-19 tour of Australia. 

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Perth from November 22 onwards.