BGT 2024-25: Five key India players who can shape the outcome of series

The stage is set for India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, with the first Test set to begin Friday (Nov. 22) in Perth, Australia. India emerged victorious on their last two Down Under tours, but this time the task at hand seems tougher than ever.

With no Mohammed Shami for probably the entire series, no Rohit Sharma for the first Test, an out-of-form Virat Kohli, and most probably no Shubman Gill in Perth, India look underdogs. Their recent 0-3 Test series loss at home against New Zealand before coming to Australia isn't putting much confidence in India's chances either.

India, nonetheless, will be looking at their last tour in 2020-21, when almost a second-string side beat Australia to win their second consecutive series Down Under. They'd be hoping for something like that on the current tour as well, and here are the five players who can shape the outcome of this series in India's favour:

Rishabh Pant

India's boy wonder in Australia - Pant has scored 624 runs at an average of 62.40 with one hundred and two fifties (97 and 89 not out) in Australia in just 12 innings of seven Tests. He'll be a key batter for India if they were to win for the third consecutive time Down Under and with Kohli being out of form, the onus of middle order lies on Pant more than ever.

Yashasvi Jaiswal

The opener has been one of the breakthrough Test players for India ever since he made his debut in 2023. The southpaw has scored 1,407 runs in 14 Tests he has played so far at an average of 56 with three tons and eight fifties. Australia is going to be a true test of his skills and concentration. His contributions up the order are going to be the most crucial for India, which has a middle order without Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.

KL Rahul

Rahul announced his arrival with a sublime 110 in Sydney on the tour of 2014-15 but has not lived up to the talent he has ever since. The batter has floated up and down the order in his 53 Tests, batting as high as an opener and as low as number six. He's set to open the innings in Perth with Jaiswal in Rohit's absence, and his performance in the series could very well define his future Test career.

Jasprit Bumrah

The undisputed pace leader of India and arguably the best bowler in the world currently, Bumrah holds the key for India if they are to win on pacy and bouncy Aussie pitches. He won't have Shami for support, and that makes his presence ever so important for India. For India to win, Bumrah doesn't really have any otheroption but to get going from ball one in Perth.

Akash Deep

The pacer has impressed with his skills in the five Tests he has played so far. He'll be an important part of India's pace department, and his ability to hit the deck hard to get the extra bounce can be very useful on the bouncing pitches. The series could make him India's preferred number three pacer behind Bumrah and Shami and his performance on the tour can help India keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.