"Time To Make Amends": Australia Skipper Pat Cummins On Test series Against India

Australian captain Pat Cummins is looking at the upcoming five-match rubber against India as a chance to "make amends" for the successive Test series defeats at home against their fierce rivals. He said the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will start on November 22 in Perth, promises to be a 50-50 affair. India retained the trophy in the last four series, from 2016-17 to 2022-23. India had defeated Australia in their own backyard in the last two series in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Cummins said Australia are hoping to draw confidence from their win over India in the World Test Championships Final at London last year.

"The last two series here in Australia, we haven't been successful, so it's been a long time. Hopefully, it's time to make amends," Cummins told Star Sports.

"You know, we've played them (India) plenty of times where they've beaten us, but we've also had plenty of wins against them as well, which we'll draw confidence from. The most recent Test match was, of course, the World Test Championship in neutral conditions, and we came out on top in that match.

"It's always fiercely competitive, and it always feels like it's 50-50. I'm 10 out of 10 excited for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," he added.

Senior batter Steve Smith agreed with the skipper and said it will a "big summer" for Australia against a "well-balanced" Indian team.

"...You know, it's going to be a great series. You know, India have been playing outstanding cricket. We've been playing really good cricket the last couple of years. You know, we haven't beaten India in the last two times they've come out here," he said.

"Obviously got a terrific side, very well-balanced team, all bases covered. So, you know, they've played really good cricket out here.