The Border-Gavaskar trophy is equivalent to the Ashes: Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh, the former Australian skipper, said that India’s series against Australia holds the same weight as that of the Ashes. Earlier, Waugh described winning a Test series on Indian soil as the ‘final frontier’. In 2001, Waugh’s Australia started the three-match series, winning the opening Test. They were also on the threshold of a triumph in the second game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

However, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Dravid’s heroics turned the tables on them. In the end, the Aussies lost the last Test as well and conceded the series 1-2. Waugh also talked about the Kolkata Test match as of the greatest games of his cricket career. Moreover, he talked about the fascinating atmosphere in India and how he has liked the country so much.

India was fascinating and I began to fall in love: Steve Waugh

“The Border-Gavaskar trophy is equivalent to the Ashes. Shows the growing competition between the two countries. Tied Test is the greatest game I have ever played. Calcutta Test loss was memorable,” Waugh was quoted as saying in a virtual interaction while participating in India global week 2020.

“India was interesting. Toured every 10 years. I couldn’t stop looking out of the window. India was fascinating and I began to fall in love with the place. Great connections through cricket,” the veteran stated.

Waugh, who played his last Test against India in 2004 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, said that he has mentioned the “amazing things about India” in his book, which is yet to be released. In the book, Waugh said that he has tried to depict how cricket is similar to a religion in India.

“Producing this book could bring India and Australia together. We are about to finalise the book. People can go to stevewaugh.com. You see amazing things about India its diversity and passion for cricket. I want to produce a book that will surprise people about India – through pictures – showcase India and that’s my latest project. Trying to capture why cricket is a religion in India,” he added.

As far as India’s series against the Aussies is concerned, Virat Kohli and Co are scheduled to tour Down Under later this year. The opening Test gets underway on December 3.