"Since The Rise Of IPL, Australia Want To...": Australia Star On Rivalry With India

India beating Australia in the last two Test series in the latter's backyard has made the rivalry between the two teams more intense, feels senior batter Usman Khawaja ahead of the five-match battle beginning November 22. India had beaten Australia on their last two tours of Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21) with an identical 2-1 margin. In fact, India have won all the last four series of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking into account their home wins in 2016-17 and 2022-23 -- both also 2-1 results in a four-match contest.

"For Indians, it's always been the case to beat Australia. And more recently, you know, since the rise of India and IPL and everything else that happened, it's the same way with Australia against India," Khawaja said.

"And particularly since India's beaten Australia in Australia the last two times they've come out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It just means a little bit more,” he told Star Sports.

The 37-year-old left-handed opener said that the rivalry between the two teams is huge.

"We're world number one, world number two teams really over the last two years. We were there at the last World Test Championship together. The rivalry has halways been huge," said Khawaja who has 5451 runs from 71 Tests after making debut in 2011.

"I take it as a sign of respect and I know it that Indians love beating Australia in any sort of form of cricket. And the tradition that Australia has had over so many years as being one of the dominating teams in world cricket has staked that reputation." The first Test begins in Perth on November 22 while fifth and the last will be played in Sydney from January 3.

Another senior player Mitchell Marsh talked about "great friendships" complementing intense rivalry with Indian