BGT 2024-25: 'To be able to control...,' Former head coach Rahul Dravid's advice for India to win in Australia

Former India coach Rahul Dravid thinks that India's top four batters would have to soak much of the pressure if they were to win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. The first Test between the two sides starts November 22 in Perth.

"Runs on the top will be important. Now whether it comes from one, two or three or four, it doesn't really matter. You're going to need one of that top four or two of the top four to have a great series. That really helps in Australia. With the Kookaburra ball and those conditions, if you can get through that initial period and have your top four soak in a lot of that period, it really allows your lower order to be able to control and dominate those games," said Dravid while talking to ESPNCrininfo recently.

The former India number three also backed Shubman Gill to come through at the same position where he and Cheteshwar Pujara played some of the brilliant Test innings for India.

Also Read:Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25: Full schedule, match timings, squads - All you need to know

"Well, they've got Shubman Gill, who is a terrific player. He's had some great success in Australia the last time. Everyone talks about Rishabh's 80 [89] and rightly so, but I think Shubman got 91 to set the game up on that fifth morning. So no, he's a fine, fine player, he's a great kid, and he's learning. Bats differently, slightly, to me and Pujara, but still a very, very good player," he added.

India, however, have a lot to ponder ahead of the first Test as they will be without regular skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Rohit is away after the recent birth of his second child and will be available from the second Test, while Gill was injured during practice and is not expected to play in Perth. In Rohit's absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side.

After Perth, India play the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.