IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy: With Steven Smith destined to be back at No. 4, these players are auditioning for the opening spot in the Australian 11

The IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is slowly gaining further importance in terms of this WTC. Since India has slipped their PCT to almost a marginal difference with the defending champions Australia, they would also be in the quest for a very successful BGT to better their chances for the WTC final.

Before the BGT, India A will take on Australia A for the 2-match series, for which Cricket Australia has announced the 17-member squad. India has made the squad announcement for the BGT, as Australia is yet to announce the squad.

Playing the Sheffield Shield, many Australian players are looking to gear up for their probable entry to the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which can be a triumphing series for the home team as well.

The Aussies have faced a major setback since David Warner retired from the longest format of the game, as earlier Steve Smith was seen playing in the opening slot. In recent reports, Smith suggested that he might be moved back down the order to his natural position of No. 4, especially to strengthen their middle order in the absence of ace all-rounder Cameron Green.

Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney have stepped in as the ideal Aussie opening replacements

Sam Konstas, the player who went on to win the U-19 World Cup this time around with the Aussies, has emerged as a major talent in the Australian domestic circle. Konstas, who scored his twin hundreds, has been compared with Ricky Ponting, the great captain, who had the same feat achieved 21 years ago in the Shield game.

Another major name to have stepped up in the opening role alongside Usman Khawaja would include the likes of Nathan McSweeney or seasonal impactful Cameron Bancroft, who has been on the target list of George Bailey, the national selector.

McSweeney started off his Sheild season with a confident hundred, while Cameron Bancroft averaged over 50.67 in the last two summers on the Sheffield Shield seasons, especially when run-scoring turned difficult in the previous season.

Another major name in the squad includes Marcus Harris, who has had international experience, though in 2022, owing to his weak form, he was dismissed from the squad, despite being a part of Australia's WTC winning squad.

Likes of Beau Webster and Aaron Hardie are in roles to replace Cameron Green

Missing out on Cameron Green would be a huge concern for the Australian side, as his batting abilities are often an asset for the Aussies in the middle order. Likes of Mitchell Marsh might be the known all-rounder in the middle order, but his bowling void seems eminent.

Webster is one of the greatest all-rounders in the Australian domestic circle, as he has averaged over 53.12 playing for Tasmania with the bat. Webster is a unique bowler who bowls an intermediate between medium pace and off-spin, as he completed 66 wickets over the last two seasons.

His chances for Australia A might hand him better chances, as his versatility can hand him a spot in the Aussie test squad, and his spin can be effective against India despite their overseas conditions, while also being effective for the Sri Lankan tour.

Hardie, who has often been drafted to replace the likes of Cameron Green in limited-overs cricket, can be an equally effective bowler while his batting finesse is still under the radar.

Likes of Sean Abbott, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland are always in consideration for the red-ball matches that are yet to come, while Murphy might also be sighted as the optional spinner alongside Nathan Lyon for the BGT.

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