Pat Cummins named the Indian star as the x-factor in the middle order |Courtesy- ICC/AP
While India find themselves in a do-or-die situation in the Test series against New Zealand, all eyes of cricket fans across the globe are on the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) which will kickstart exactly a month from now on 22nd November in Perth.
As things stand, both teams occupy the top two spots in the World Test Championship (WTC ) table and are favourite to play the final. This will be the first time in 32 years that India and Australia will face each other in a five-match Test series.
Some Indian players have enjoyed great success in Australia over the years and none more than Virat Kohli. The star Indian batter has played 13 Test matches in Australia in his career, scoring 1353 runs at an average of 53.14 with six centuries. Batting at number four, the 35-year-old will be key to India's hopes this time around.
Pat Cummins Names 'X-Factor' Of Indian Middle Order
However, Australian captain Pat Cummins named Rishabh Pant as the x-factor of the Indian middle order. Cummins also praised the 27-year-old for his stump-mic banter from behind the stumps.
"Rishabh had a great series here in Australia last time. He’s always a bit of that X-factor in the middle order. You never quite know what you're going to get, which is exciting, even as the opposition. And he's always got something to say behind the stumps—he’s very funny, makes me laugh," said Cummins on Star Sports' Press Room.
Pant was the star of India's famous victory in the 2021 series against Australia. His knock of 97 on the fifth Day at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the third test was key to the Ajinkya Rahane-led side pulling off a draw. Later, he played a match-winning knock of 89 not out in the fourth innings of the series decider at Gabba.
Pant has an incredible record with the bat in Australia as he has scored 624 runs in seven matches at an average of 62.40 with one century and two half-centuries to his name. It is worth noting that Pant has batted 12 times in Australia and has never been dismissed for a score lower than 23.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.
