Pat Cummins targets Border-Gavaskar Trophy as ‘one last thing to tick off’ | Cricket News – Times of India

Australian captain Pat Cummins has achieved significant milestones in his cricketing career, including ODI World Cup and Ashes victories. However, winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India remains a key aspiration. He is optimistic about achieving this goal despite Australia‘s recent loss in the first Test.
Cummins debuted in Test cricket in 2011 and played his first Test against India in 2017. Australia hasn’t won a Test series against India, home or away, since 2014-15. Despite the heavy defeat in Perth last month, Cummins is determined to reverse this trend.
“For half of the (Australian) change room, we haven’t won the Border Gavaskar Trophy. It is one last thing to tick off for a lot of us. Almost every challenge that we faced in last few years, we have stepped up and done well.”
Cummins expressed his determination before the second Test in Adelaide. He highlighted the team’s desire to finally win the trophy.
“I think we need to do that for another home summer and series. From two-three season thing, it has suddenly been a half a generation thing.”
He acknowledged that the lack of a series win has spanned nearly a generation of players. Several Australian players, including Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (currently unavailable), Mitchell Marsh, and Nathan Lyon, were part of the 2-0 victory against India in 2014-15.
Since then, India has dominated the series, winning two at home (2017 and 2023) and two away (2018-19, 2020-21). This dominance adds another layer of significance to the current series for Australia.
Cummins was asked about the pressure to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He addressed the question directly, emphasizing the team’s desire to perform well on home soil.
“I don’t think it’s pressure. You are playing at home and you want to do well. We know they (India) are a really strong side and lot of us were part of those recent three series (defeats).”
He acknowledged India’s strength as a team. He also pointed out that many Australian players have experienced the recent series defeats against India.
“Yeah, it’s a big series and kind of not looking too far in the past. And every summer, when we play against them we want to do well.”
Cummins concluded by reiterating the importance of the series and the team’s consistent aim to perform well against India. He emphasized focusing on the present rather than dwelling on past results.