Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has thrown his weight behind young batsmen Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan to fill the shoes of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The series, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth, is set to be a thrilling contest, and Karthik believes that the younger players’ recent form makes them the perfect candidates for the challenging conditions Down Under.
Karthik, speaking on Cricbuzz, highlighted the strong performances of both Gill and Sarfaraz in the recent home series against England as the key factor behind his prediction. He stated, “Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan. Top picks for you. Both of those batters have done really well against England in the home series that recently happened at the start of the year. I have a feeling both of them will definitely be on that flight to Australia and will be trying to do their best. We will know if they’re able to replace both Ajinkya and Pujji (Pujara). Big shoes to fill, but they have the quality and caliber in them.”
Gill has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with at the international level, particularly in Test cricket. His ability to handle pressure in tough situations, coupled with his previous successful performances in Australia, especially during the memorable 2020/21 series win, makes him a strong contender to replace Rahane.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, consistently scoring runs and showcasing his skill against formidable bowling attacks. His impressive performances against England earlier this year have caught the eye of the selectors, increasing his chances of securing a spot in the squad for the demanding Australian tour.
The 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-match series, promises to be a grueling test for India’s batting lineup. The matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide (featuring a pink-ball Test), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Team India will be aiming to extend their dominance in Australia, having won the previous two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018/19 and 2020/21. The pressure will be on both teams, with the series shaping up to be a battle of the titans.
