Virat Kohli looking at Steve Smith During BGT (X.com)

The much-anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is all set to start on the 22nd of November, 2024 at the Optus Stadium, Perth. It will be a five-match Test series this time around, the first between the two sides since 1991-92, and the mind games have already started between two heavyweights.

India have dominated Australia in BGT in recent times, and have beaten the Kangaroos Down Under on two consecutive occasions, something which is quite rare in world cricket. The series in India have also gone Men in Blue’s way and Australia would be itching to get their hands on the BGT trophy when Rohit Sharma and co. travel Down Under later in the year.

Mitchell Marsh, the Australian T20I captain and an important member of the Test side is also quite excited about the challenge. India and Australia games have always been quite intense and there is a perception that not all is well between the players of the two sides.

India-Australia Series Will Help In The Growth Of The Game

However, Marsh has played down such speculations and has claimed that the intensity of cricket between the two sides is just because of the quality of cricket played between them. He added that India have won some matches, and Australia have also retaliated which has created a good healthy rivalry.

“I think it’s just the cricket that’s been played between the two teams. If you look at the history, the recent history, we’ve won stuff, they’ve won stuff. And I think that when it’s back and forth like that, it builds that rivalry within yourselves.”

He also denied any hatred between the players and stated that there is great friendship between Indian and Australian cricketers. He also mentioned that the contest between the two sides is an opportunity to grow the game as everyone around the world tunes in for such a big series.

“You know there’s great friendships in the Indian team with our team, so there’s no hatred. But it’s a great on field rivalry, both teams want to win. And Australia versus India, it’s another opportunity to grow the game of cricket. Not that cricket needs growing in India, but worldwide. People tune into these big series.”

Australia recently whitewashed Scotland in the three-match T20Is and will now take on England in the three-match T20I series. The T20Is will be followed by a five-match ODI series and Mitchell Marsh is the captain of the side in both formats with Pat Cummins on a much-deserved break.