Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called on the Indian team to break the pattern of starting with a loss in overseas conditions by planning in advance for their upcoming tour to Australia in December 2024. India’s recent victory against South Africa in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town, where they secured a seven-wicket win to level the series, highlighted their ability to bounce back after an initial setback, a trend that Gavaskar wants them to overcome.
Gavaskar emphasized the importance of proactive planning, stating, “The defeat in Centurion is pretty much a pattern for Indian teams touring the SENA countries, where they lose the first Test of the series and then play catch-up for the remainder of the series.” He stressed the need for India to start planning now to maintain their winning momentum in Australia, where they have won their last two series.
According to Gavaskar, India’s upcoming home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand from September to November 2024 provides them with an opportunity to prepare for the Australian tour. He encouraged the team to use this time effectively, saying, “The first Test of a five-match series in Australia will likely start in early December, so it does give the Indians time to play a couple, if not more, first-class games before the series.”
Highlighting the significance of preparation, Gavaskar added, “Even if that is true, isn’t it better to get into a rhythm against such opposition than stay at home? Not only the batters can get some runs under their belts, but the bowlers can also go flat out and test themselves.”
As India looks forward to the challenge of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Gavaskar’s advice underscores the significance of meticulous planning and preparation to maintain their dominance in Test cricket, particularly in overseas conditions.
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