Just ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy that will be starting from November 22, there are two Aussie batters other than star Indian batter Virat Kohli, who’ll be looking forward to capitalise on the chances and score a ton. These two players are- Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Both have been an asset for their team and could play a key role for their team in winning this series of one of the most iconic confrontations ever.
Its been 361 days since Virat Kohli has scored a century in Tests, overall he has scored 9040 runs this includes 29 centuries and 31 half centuries.
In Border-Gavaskar Trophy Virat Kohli has 1979 runs in 24 matches, this includes 8 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
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Steve Smith
Steve Smith is the best batter in this generation and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one such platform through which he can prove his supremacy. Steve Smith, with some unorthodox but effective technique, has been the cornerstone of Australia at No. 4 in all forms of cricket. Though Smith had faced some stiff tests in India during the past, it is well known that he thrives on subcontinent conditions, and pretty well documented that crucial runs have been notched up under subcontinent conditions by him. As he has the capacity to offer late resistance by spending plenty of time at the crease, Smith would look forward to scoring a ton against a strong Indian attack. Given his penchant for scoring big runs in crucial series, a century in the Border-Gavaskar could further cement his status as one of Australia’s all-time greats.
He scored his last century 501 days ago, in Tests he has scored 9685 runs in 195 matches. This includes 32 centuries and 41 half-centuries.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Smith has played 18 matches in which he has scored 1887, this includes 8 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne has emerged as one of the brightest talents in world cricket in a very short time. From impressive debut for the 2019 Ashes, he has been piling on runs with a solid technique and a hunger for big scores. Out of the two formats, Labuschagne has performed more significantly in the Test format, having reeled off century after century at home and away. He has still to be tested on the biggest stage in India, though, when it comes to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A hundred in this series would not only sustain his burgeoning reputation but also strengthen Australia’s chances of winning. For one, Labuschagne should be ever ready to demonstrate that he can face India’s spinning pitches and prove himself against arguably one of the best bowling attacks in world cricket.
He scored his last century 428 days ago, in Tests he has scored 4114 runs in 50 matches. This includes 11 centuries and 20 half centuries.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Labuschagne has played 9 matches in which he has scored 708 runs, this includes 1 century and 3 half-centuries.
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Challenges Ahead
For Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is not a series but an opportunity to sign off their legacies and file all of the skills on challenging turf. Since their Indian counterparts will stake claim over the circumstances, Smith and Labuschagne will face not just the pitch but the burden of the output before the teammates and the crowd. If they can score a few centuries in this series, then it will prove their class and versatility in playing the toughest conditions.
As the Border Gavaskar series progresses, the whole world is on scrutiny about these two Australian batsmen with hopes of rising to the occasion and finding entry into the list of century-makers in this prestigious contest.
