The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 proved to be a disappointing outing for India, as they suffered a 3-1 series defeat to Australia despite a promising start. India’s commanding victory in the first Test in Perth had raised hopes for a successful campaign. However, the team struggled to maintain momentum and failed to win any of the remaining matches, ultimately conceding the series to Australia.

Also Read: 3 Big Changes India Needs to Make in Test Cricket to Avoid Agonizing Defeats

Following the rain-affected draw in the third Test in Brisbane, R. Ashwin shocked fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket and all forms of the game, leaving the tour midway. Watching the final two matches from home, Ashwin has now opened up about the series loss, discussing the factors that led to India’s struggles and shedding light on the pivotal role played by Australia’s standout performer, Scott Boland.

Ashwin on Scott Boland’s Game-Changing Impact

R. Ashwin praised Scott Boland’s exceptional performance, calling him the key factor behind Australia’s success. Ashwin said,

“Everyone said Pat Cummins had a great series, but he struggled against left-handers. Australia was lucky that Scott Boland came into the team. If Boland hadn't played, India would have won the series.”

Ashwin added,

“No offense to Josh Hazlewood; he's a fantastic bowler. But if they had continued with the same attack, we would have won. Boland's round-the-wicket deliveries to our left-handers were a major factor.”

Scott Boland came into the team as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood after the first Test in Perth. He played the second Test in Adelaide, a day-night match, where Australia leveled the series 1-1 with Boland playing a crucial role. Although Boland was benched for the third Test in Brisbane, he returned to the playing XI after Hazlewood was officially ruled out due to injury. Boland’s performance in the last two Tests, especially in Sydney where he took 5 wickets, helped Australia clinch the series.

Also Read: Captain Rohit Sharma Travels to Pakistan?

Scott Boland: The Unsung Hero

In the three matches he played during the series, Boland bowled 101.4 overs and took an impressive 21 wickets. His consistency and ability to trouble India’s left-handed batters were game-changing. Boland’s Test career has been short but remarkable, with 13 matches, 56 wickets, and an incredible bowling average of 17.66. Despite not being a first-choice bowler in Australia’s pace trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, Boland has always delivered whenever given a chance. At 35 years old, Boland continues to prove his worth.

Scott Boland: Top 3 IPL Teams That Could Target the Australian Fast Bowler in 2025

The IPL 2025 auction ended before bgt, and  now everyone is talking about how Scott Boland, that fast bowler from Australia, got a lot of attention this season. Mr. Boland's built a reputation for being extremely accurate and consistent, and he stays very calm when things are difficult, too. Boland is really expected to be a major player for any team he ends up with.Teams are concentrating hard on getting their bowlers ready for the next season. So, here are the 3 top IPL teams that might want Boland on their side, and we'll dig into which team is the best fit for him.

1. Mumbai Indians (MI)

Mumbai Indians, a team with a large amount of wins from the past, probably wanted a bowler similar to Scott Boland, and the 2025 sale showed this was true. MI is famous for having a very good bowling group, but after some switches lately, bringing in a known, fast bowler from another country such as Boland could be really key. His talent to throw the ball well near the end and do okay through most of the innings would match well with MI's existing, solid bowlers.

Boland's knowledge from very important matches makes him a good pick for MI, which is a team that wants another IPL win. Mr. Boland might give some needed steadiness to their fast throwers and help the team have an older player who can win the close matches. What's a good location for him? Boland would be extremely useful to MI's bowling group, particularly for when it gets closer to the end and essentially an older guide for the fast ball hurlers. His aim could be key for MI in important parts of a game. Mr. Boland's really gussied up.

ALSO READ: Rohit and Kohli to play England Test series despite a horrid show in BGT: Reports

2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

 Ruturaj Gaikwad leads Chennai Super Kings  under M.S.Dhoni, and they usually pick players who are spectacular under pressure and have a lot of experience, so Scott Boland is a good choice for them. Boland is great at bowling in a disciplined way, and he's extremely steady and accurate. That's exactly what CSK wants because they always go for players who can deal with tough situations and keep performing well.

In the 2025 auction, CSK could target Boland to add more depth to their pace attack, as their bowling resources have fluctuated in recent seasons. Boland could serve as a key bowler in crucial phases of the game, especially in the middle overs, where his control can help stifle opposition batters.

Where He Should Play: Boland could play a significant role in CSK's middle overs, where his ability to keep the runs under control and pick wickets would add balance to their strategy.

3. Delhi Capitals (DC)

The Delhi Capitals are getting better, and they have many skillful young players and some experienced players from other countries. The 2025 cricket season is coming quickly, so the Delhi team might try to get Scott Boland to help their fast bowling. Although they already have good fast bowlers, getting an older bowler like Boland could make their team stronger and give them more leadership in the bowling area.

Boland can aim very well, and he can throw the ball with the same effect during different parts of the game. This might make him useful for the Delhi team, because they want to build a team that can compete for the championship. His work in the early and middle parts of the innings would help by giving the team a consistent fast bowling choice to pair with their strong spin bowling.His task: Boland should be used often in the middle innings, and perhaps at the start if required. Mr. Boland will shoot straight to help the Delhi bowling team get people out and keep the pressure on.

Where Scott Boland Would Make an Impact

After the major 2025 IPL thing where they picked players, Scott Boland was extremely popular. Teams such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi all really wanted him. Mr. Boland could do a lot of jobs, but he is especially good because he always bowls well when things get worrisome. This means any team would want him because he's so adaptable and worthy.

Mumbai would probably use him at the end of the trade when there's the most pressure to do a good job. Chennai might let him bowl in the middle part because he's pretty even and sharp and informed. Delhi could use him a lot since he does a good job all the time, no matter when they want him. No matter where he ends up, Scott Boland will definitively do very well because he is calm and good and has a large amount of past plays.Mr. Boland will make some sort of effect everywhere they hold him; he is rather similar to a loose cannon for a winning team.

Scott Boland Breaks Records: First Australian Bowler in 92 Years to Take 50 Test Wickets Under 20 Average

Since he started playing internationally, Scott Boland has done some pretty amazing things in Australian cricket. Boland's the first Australian bowler in 92 years to reach 50 Test wickets, and he's managed to do it with an average below 20. That's not simply good it's extremely good, pointing to how skilled and consistently amazing he is on the field.

ALSO READ:Reports: Hardik Pandya to Lead India in 2025 Champions Trophy if Rohit Sharma is Out

Consistency and Control: The Secret Behind Boland's Success

Boland stands out in Australia's test team as a quick bowler since he started in late 2021. He isn't only quick, he's extremely accurate, has the ability to swing the ball, and always throws it to the spots batters dislike. This skill he must frequently dismiss hitters while barely letting them score makes him significantly better than most fast bowlers out there now.

Really, Boland has turned into an unquestionably key player for the Australian group, teaching everyone how to do it.

Boland has shown very well he's not simply talented but also extremely consistent, getting 50 wickets with an average of less than 20. He's kept his runs given away under control while still getting wickets regularly. Players from his own team and the teams they're currently facing think highly of him because of his just first-rate and controlled manner of bowling.

Here are the best bowling averages for Australian bowlers in Test cricket:

Here are the best bowling averages for Australian bowlers in Test cricket:

Boland has the best-ever strike rate in Test cricket for an Australian bowler, ahead of many legends of the game:

A Historic Feat and a Bright Future

Boland stands out because he bowls with a lot of control and precision. He's very good at bowling accurately and can keep pressure on for a long time, which isn't something every fast bowler can do, since most of them focus on bowling inordinately speedily. This makes him very important even when anything is going on in the game. He has a knack for taking wickets at crucial times and bowling well, without letting the other team score much and that's played a major part in why Australia has won a lot of Test matches.

Whether he's playing in Australia or in another country, Boland has really shown he can adapt and do well under any conditions. He's been excellent, especially during the 2021-2022 Ashes series, where he delivered some important performances when it was tough.

SCOTT BOLAND BECOMES THE OLDEST PACER IN 50 YEARS TO PICK 50 TEST WICKETS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mgVzhaWwcn

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025

Scott Boland was the standout performer on day 1 of the fifth Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The pitch, which was more helpful for bowlers than usual, gave Boland the perfect opportunity to shine. While he may not bowl as fast as some of Australia’s other bowlers, like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Boland's accuracy and skill made a big impact.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma’s Reaction When Kohli Was Given Not Out on the First Ball

Boland, 35 years old, has often been seen as a backup bowler behind the likes of Cummins and Starc. He was even replaced by Josh Hazlewood in the second match of this series after Hazlewood returned from injury. But Boland proved his value by stepping up when Hazlewood was injured again, making a huge difference with his steady and effective bowling. Despite not having the pace of his teammates, Boland has consistently been a threat with his ability to bowl in the right areas and move the ball effectively.

A key moment in the match came when Boland took two wickets in back-to-back deliveries. First, he dismissed Rishabh Pant, who had been batting well and had scored 40 runs. Boland bowled a short ball, and Pant tried to pull it but mistimed the shot, sending the ball high in the air. Pat Cummins caught it at midwicket. This wicket was crucial, as Pant had been one of India’s main threats with the bat.

Sunil Gavaskar’s to Rishabh Pant....!!

"Stupid Stupid Stupid" pic.twitter.com/I801TlKlxt

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) January 3, 2025

Just one ball later, Boland struck again, removing Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck. Reddy was facing his first ball and was bowled out by Boland, putting India in further trouble. These two quick wickets shifted the momentum in Australia’s favor and highlighted Boland's skill and composure.

💥WICKET:🎳🎯
Boland to Nitish Reddy, out Caught by Smith!! From the highs of Melbourne to a first-ball duck at Sydney. That is Test cricket for you *Nitish Reddy c Smith b Boland 0(1)🎯🇮🇳🔰#AUSvsIND #RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵 #Rishabpant pic.twitter.com/rfAYHGlv66

— Prince sanu🇵🇰 (@princesanu_56) January 3, 2025

Before these wickets, Boland had already taken the important wickets of Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kohli was caught after edging a ball from Boland, and Jaiswal was out for just 10 runs.

While Australia and India are fighting in the thrilling Melbourne Test, the former cricketers are busy bringing their experienced minds to make the game more interesting. On the final day of the Melbourne Test, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar sparked controversy when Scott Boland was busy delivering his first over of the fourth innings of the match.

Hosts Australia set a big fourth innings target of 340 runs for India in the Melbourne Test. While the baggy greens needed ten wickets to win the match and put the five-match Test series position at 2-1 in their favour, the visitors needed to draw the Test match to continue their series victory hope. 

Also Watch: Mitchell Starc-Yashasvi Jaiswal work on bail switching trick

Sunil Gavaskar on Scott Boland

It was the first over for Scott Boland in the fourth innings of the Melbourne Test, where the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar created a controversy in the Hindi commentary box. After Boland delivered his first ball of the innings, Gavaskar called, "Boland bowling karenge, Bo l*** bowling karenge."

 

 

 

 

 

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Very very cheap from Gavaskar tbh

Tabhi main bc hindi commentary nai dekhta 🤮

You have issues when people call kohli wan*er but the so called legends of the game calling aussie player la*d from the commentary box.. pic.twitter.com/zkcqiNY3ct

— Navaldeep Singh (@NavalGeekSingh) December 30, 2024

Jaiswal and Pant kept patience after the first wickets fell cheaply

After India lost their first three wickets of the fourth innings of the Melbourne Test for only 33 runs, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant controlled the situation with their patient batting. 

India scored 112/3 at the tea break of the fifth day of the Melbourne Test. The visitors didn’t lose a wicket in that second session, where Jaiswal scored 63 runs not out and Pant scored 28 runs not out.

The second day of the Melbourne Test was once again full of action between the hosts Australia and the visitors India. After Steven Smith’s memorable century, the hosts have set the game nicely for them by picking late wickets. 

The second day of the Test match started Australia’s first innings total of 311/6. Former Aussie skipper Steven Smith, who started the day at 68 not out, got strong support from the present skipper Pat Cummins. 

Also Watch: Virat Kohli fights with fan after out vs Australia in 4th Test at MCG

Steven Smith scored 140 runs, Pat Cummins fired with 49 runs

Smith and Cummins had a crucial 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket to grip the game. Smith completed his 34th Test century in 167 balls. Cummins scored 49 off 63 balls with the help of seven fours before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him.

Mitchell Starc also had a good cameo of 15 runs off 36 balls (one six) and, more importantly, added another 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket. 

In the first two overs of the second session of the second day, Starc was bowled by Jadeja, and Steven Smith lost his wicket unluckily against Akash Deep after scoring 140 off 197 balls with the help of 13 fours and three sixes.

Also, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland (6*) had a 19-run partnership for the last wicket as Jasprit Bumrah ended the innings with a four-wicket haul (4/99) after dismissing Lyon for 13 runs.

India lost two quick wickets

As expected, captain Rohit Sharma opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the Indian skipper was caught out in the second over of the innings after scoring only three off five balls. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins picked up that wicket. 

Then, KL Rahul and Jaiswal had a 43-run partnership before Cummins bowled Rahul for 24 runs. Virat Kohli then set up a solid partnership with Jaiswal for the third wicket.

Jaiswal and Kohli had century partnership before late collapse

Jaiswal and Kohli already built up a century partnership as they were almost ending the day confidently with two set batters. Jaiswal was going strongly after completing his half-century in 81 balls. 

However, in the late moment of the day, Jaiswal was run out horribly due to a complete misunderstanding with Kohli. Aussies dismissed Jaiswal for 82 runs off 118 balls, who hit 11 fours and one six.

While Akash Deep came as a nightwatchman, Kohli lost his wicket to Scott Boland after seven balls of Jaiswal’s dismissal. Kohli scored 36 off 86 balls with four fours. Boland then dismissed Akash Deep (0) in his next over.

India ended the second day of the Melbourne Test at 164/5. While Rishabh Pant was not out for six runs, Ravindra Jadeja scored four runs. At the stumps of the day, India were trailing by 310 runs.

With less than 24 hours to go for the Gabba Test, Australia have revealed their playing eleven. The hosts make a solitary change by dropping Scott Boland who will make way for Josh Hazlewood. The Australian skipper Pat Cummins confirmed that the ace pacer has regained his fitness after suffering an injury in the first Test and is ready to hit the ground running in Brisbane. 

It was by no means a straightforward decision for the management to make. Hazlewood was sidelined from the Adelaide Test after picking up a side injury. Coming in as his replacement, Scott Boland played an instrumental role with the ball to power Australia to a thumping 10-wicket win helping his side level the series 1-1. 

See also: Marsh available to deliver with the ball in Gabba Test

Cummins sheds light on Hazlewood's selection over Boland

Despite his promising exploits in Adelaide which saw him get rid of Jaiswal, Kohli, Gill, and Rohit, Boland was forced to make way at the expense of Hazlewood. The New South Wales bowler has had to cope with a myriad of injuries throughout his career and the selectors had to mindful of reintroducing him too quickly for the second Test.

But during his conversation with the reporters on Friday, Cummins stated that he is happy to see the way things are shaping up for Hazlewood after the injury. The quick was put through the paces in Adelaide and both the skipper and the medical staff are pleased with how he is hold up.

"He's had no hiccups. He had a really good bowl yesterday, he had another bowl in Adelaide a couple of days previously. Him and the medical team are really confident."

However, Cummins does not rule out the possibility of not having Boland feature for the remainder of the Test series. Boland had been away from the international scene for an eternity but despite his long absence, Cummins thinks highly of him. The Australian skipper hopes to see him in action and play a decisive role at some point in the series. 

"It’s tough. He was fantastic in Adelaide and unfortunately, he’s spent quite a lot of time on the bench in the last 18 months and whenever he plays he’s fantastic. It’s a shame for Scotty but there’s still a fair bit to play out this series so I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get another crack at some point."

Australia's playing eleven for the third Test

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is all in readiness to fire with the ball for his side in the upcoming Gabba Test. Marsh, 33, has instilled a great deal of trust in the coaching and medical staff who played a key role in his recovery prior to the start of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. The all-rounder has faced prior issues with his back since the limited-overs tour to the UK in September where he only bowled once after a hiatus of nearly five months. 

Marsh was expected to feature with the ball in the Sheffield Shield early this season but the plans never materialized as persistent problems with the back proved to be a major hindrance in his bowling. However, despite his difficulties with the back, Marsh managed to leave an impact with the ball in the Perth Test bowling a marathon 17 overs and finishing with two valuable wickets to his name. 

See also: Australia's pace trio signed as BBL supplementary players

Marsh extends his gratitude to McDonald and the rest of the medical staff

Marsh admits that he was slightly underutilized in the build-up to the series. But at the same time, he expresses his desire to play his part with the ball should the need arise. He further adds that he is ready to bowl as many overs as possible for his skipper and makes it clear that there is no upper limit to how many he can bowl.

"I'll try and be ready to bowl as much as Patty needs me. Our allrounders haven't bowled a hell of a lot in Australia the last few years, but I am really thankful for our medical staff and Ronny [coach Andrew McDonald] and Patty who have allowed me the space between that first and second Test to just get right for the game. I didn't bowl as much as I would have liked to in the lead-up to the series, but our medical staff, Ronnie and Patty were really clear. I trusted that."

Furthermore, he also feels grateful for the role the medical and the coaching staff (including Andrew McDonald) played in getting him into the right head space before the start of the second Test. He feels that his back is more than ready to deal with the workload and wants to hit the ground running once he gets an opportunity with the ball in the upcoming Brisbane Test. 

How is Australia's pace battery shaping up ahead of Gabba Test?

Australia have been jolted by some injury concerns in their bowling department in this ongoing Test series. Josh Hazlewood, who initially sustained a lower side strain injury in the aftermath of the first Test was sidelined from the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. With the Gabba nets offering limited space to run, Hazlewood headed to the nearby Allan Border Field where he alongside Starc were put through the paces with an extended run-up. His fitness is closely being evaluated and if he pulls up right on Friday, he will be in a strong position to rejoin the team, potentially at the expense of Scott Boland.

Australian right-arm quick Josh Hazlewood is likely to make a return in the third Test of the Border Gavaskar trophy 2024-25 in Brisbane starting on December 14. The 33-year-old missed out on the day-night pink-ball Test which was held in Adelaide.

Scott Boland was called up as his replacement and he had a devastating impact on the tourists as he finished the game with combined figures of 5-104. Hazlewood's re-inclusion in the lineup can trigger a selection headache for the Australian think tank since there is very little to separate the two pacers based on their recent performances. 

See also: Mohammed Siraj claims Travis Head lied about heated moment in Adelaide Test

Hazlewood put through the paces in Adelaide

During the course of the second BGT Test in Adelaide, Hazlewood underwent a rigorous fitness test and was put through the paces. Although he toiled hard and went through extended spells without facing major difficulties, how he shapes up in the next 24 hours will determine his availability for selection.

So far, Hazlewood seems to be happy with how his body is responding to the workload but stresses that the next 24 hours will hold the key to determining his fate for the remainder of the series. 

"I think it'll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really. "Obviously two spells makes a big difference. Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again in the same day, and the intensity has got to be right up there as well. So a few boxes to tick, but it's probably the 24 hours that follow and pulling up again the next day and then thinking 'yeah, I'd be right to go again if I had to."

Hazlewood's past encounters with injury scares

Hazlewood has been plagued with a myriad of injury scares throughout his international career. The 33-year-old pacer has had to contend with injury problems and had to stay low between 2021 and 2023, a period in which he made only three Test match appearances. 

Although some of his omissions have been attributed to specific conditions, there were also two separate episodes of side issues that ruled him out of key Ashes games as well as the World Test Championship final against India last year. 

According to the fast bowler, the current injury felt different, and if it had been the last Test of the series, he might have backed himself to play in Adelaide. 

The ongoing five-match BGT Test series has come to life after Australia managed to stun India by 10 wickets in Adelaide to level the series 1-1. The attention now moves to Brisbane where Australia is likely to maintain their domination. With the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the horizon, the upcoming Brisbane fixture is of utmost importance for both sides.  

While India were struggling against the Australian pacers in the day-night pink ball Adelaide Test match, the new Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy stunned the cricket fans with his incredible shot.

The five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has now entered the second round. Leading the series by 1-0, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first. After the first ball dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill handled the early period really well. 

However, the left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc dominated from just before the dinner break to the end of the visitors’ innings. Powerful Starc recorded his best bowling figures in a Test innings, 14.1-2-48-6, and India were all out for 180 runs.

Watch: Siraj loses his cool over Labuschagne, hurls the ball back at him in anger

Brave Nitish Kumar Reddy scored crucial 42 runs

While the Indian batters struggled against the Aussie fast bowlers, Nitish Kumar Reddy showed his brave character with the bat. His firing 42 off 54 balls with the help of three fours and three sixes guided the visitors to cross the 150-run mark. 

The 21-year-old right-handed batter Reddy provided big proof of his understanding of the game, even when his team was massively under pressure on a challenging batting track. After Ravichandran Ashwin was dismissed for a run-a-ball 22 runs, where the experienced batter was in good touch before his dismissal, Reddy decided to charge the Aussie fast bowlers.  

Nitish Kumar Reddy hit an unorthodox sixer against Boland

Whether the bowler was Mitchell Starc or Scott Boland, Reddy had no hesitation if the ball reached his slot. It was the 42nd over of the innings when Reddy hit a sixer with an unorthodox shot. Boland delivered a length ball, and Reddy quickly set up a position to create a perfect reverse scoop to hit a sixer. It was the time when India had already lost eight wickets and Reddy was the only hope to add runs on the board. 

Although Reddy was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, it can’t shadow his outstanding cameo batting performance.    

THIS IS CINEMA! 🙌

Pink ball, seaming conditions & bowlers breathing fire - doesn't matter to #NitishReddy! 💪#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test 👉 LIVE NOW on Star Sports! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/IM9HaBrv63

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2024