The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is regarded as one of the most heated rivalries in Test cricket. There have been some memorable moments and stellar performances on the field whenever India and Australia have faced off.
Australia and India, currently ranked first and second in the ICC Men's Test team rankings, will face off in a four-match series beginning on February 9 to relive the two teams' fierce rivalry.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently held by India, which has won the last three series against Australia in 2017, 2018-19, and 2020-21. A 4-0 series victory for India would give them a points percentage of 68.06, which is likely to be enough for a crucial top-two finish in the World Tour Championship standings.
It will be interesting to see who will have the upper hand when the two legendary teams clash. Let's take a look at the players to keep an eye on when the highly anticipated rivalry kicks off in Nagpur.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, one of Indian cricket's best batters, has been in red-hot form after a slump in recent years. In recent white ball cricket, he has returned to his signature aggressive style against his opponents.
It will be exciting to see how the run-machine, known for his exceptional focus and well-timed shots, will perform when he takes the field against Australia.
Kohli has a fantastic record against Australia. In 20 matches, he has scored 1682 runs at an average of 48.05, including seven centuries and five half-centuries.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, who has been out of action since August 2022 due to a knee injury, will be eager to make a strong comeback in the upcoming series against Australia.
His batting, in addition to his bowling, will be critical for providing stability in the middle order. He will be a complete package available in the Indian set-up, known for his enigmatic fielding.
The fiery all-rounder was called up to the Saurashtra team to get some match practise in before Australia's tour of India, where he took seven wickets for 53 runs against Tamil Nadu.
Jadeja has a strong Test record against Australia, having taken 63 wickets at 18.85 in 12 matches, including three five-wicket hauls.
He was named Player of the Series after taking 25 wickets and scoring two fifties in four matches during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During the Tests in Nagpur and Ahmedabad, where conditions are expected to favour spin bowlers, the all-rounder could pose a problem for Australia's batters.
Shubhman Gill
Given his stellar form in the limited overs series, Shubhman Gill could be one of India's biggest assets in this year's Border Gavaskar. In December, he hit a match-winning Test century in Bangladesh, and in January, he scored his first ODI double-hundred.
Last year, the youngster scored 259 runs in three Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches at an average of 51.80, with the highest score of 91 at the Gabba. Gill's recent form has demonstrated that the 23-year-old is confident enough to score big against Australia and add more feathers to his cap.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of Australia's most dependable batters. He's in great shape, and a lot is riding on his shoulders.
He scored 231 runs in four innings during the recent series against South Africa. Indian bowlers will find it difficult to get past Smith in the upcoming series. The 33-year-old batter has 8647 runs and a staggering average of 60.9 in 92 matches played so far.
Not to mention that the Australian is the only batter on either side to have scored more than 750 runs in a Border-Gavaskar series. Steve Smith smashed India's bowling in 2014-15, scoring 769 runs at an average of 128.16 in 8 innings with four tonnes.
Nathan Lyon
With 94 wickets in 41 innings at an average of 34.75, seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the third and only Australian to make the top five list of leading wicket-takers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On a turning track in Bengaluru in 2017, he had his best bowling figures of eight for 50 in an innings.
Throughout the Test series, the 35-year-old could pose a significant threat to the Indian team. He has an advantage over the majority of India's top-order batsmen, as evidenced by the number of times he has knocked them out in Tests.
Lyon has 460 Test wickets in 115 matches and has dismissed Kohli seven times.