Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023: 5 key player battles to watch out for

On January 19, 2023, fans celebrated "Gabba Day" remembering the historic test win where India breached the Gabba fortress to claim the Border-Gavaskar trophy of 2021. The win was special because the Indian side was mostly without the mainstream players but even then, they managed to defeat a full-strength Australian side on a ground where the Aussies had ruled for 32 years. 

The four-match Test series between India and Australia, of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023, will begin on February 9 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The second Test will take place in Delhi, while Dharmasala and Ahmedabad will host the final two games. The visitors will be keen to earn the trophy back as Team India has won the last three editions of the iconic series. Both teams will be looking to give their best with an aim to make it to the World Test Championship final.

On that note, let us look at 5 key player battles to watch out for:

1. Ravichandran Ashwin vs David Warner 

Ravichandran Ashwin loves to tease the left-handers, one of his favourites being Australian opener David Warner. Ashwin has enjoyed decent success against Warner. He has managed to get the wicket of Warner (also called "Pocket-Sized Dynamite") not just once or twice, but 10 times in international cricket. But Warner’s strike rate has improved in the past few years, alongside his skill to negotiate with off-spinners.

Hence it will be great to see the battle between one of the best openers, and one of the best off-spinners that the game has ever witnessed. Ashwin has been a major pillar for team India's success on many occassions. His biggest ability is his thinking and ability to outsmart opposition batters. Also, how can one forget his brilliant partnership with Hanuma Vihari at the SCG.

With Vihari battling a leg injury and Ashwin battling a back-injury, the duo stood strong for 3 long hours to pull off an unimaginable draw. David Warner was always a brilliant player, but ever since the ugly Sandpapergate scandal his game has seen many ups and downs. He managed to make a good comeback and currently is one of the finest openers.