Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shared his analysis of the Australian team as they prepare for the crucial fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. With the series tied 1-1, the Melbourne Test holds significant importance for both sides as they eye a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
India clinched victory in the series opener in Perth, while Australia leveled the contest in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, leaving the five-match series finely poised.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali highlighted the pressure on Australia regarding their WTC final qualification chances.
“Australia Feeling the Heat Over WTC Final Race”
Ali noted that Australia will be nervous about their position in the WTC standings if they fail to win in Melbourne.
“Australia ko bhi darr baith gaya hai ke agar hum yeh wala match haare toh hum bhi WTC ke final se bahar ho jayenge (Australia are now scared about the possibility of missing the WTC final if they lose in Melbourne),” Basit said (via The Times of India).
The Pat Cummins-led team will also face two challenging Tests in Sri Lanka early next year, further complicating their qualification pathway. Ali stressed that playing in Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions would be no easy task.
“Sri Lanka is a very dangerous team in their home conditions,” he remarked.
Concerns Over Australia’s Batting Line-Up
Analyzing Australia’s batting, Ali pointed out that Travis Head is the only batter in consistent form, although Steve Smith has also scored a century in the series. He emphasized the need for contributions from other key players like Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, and Usman Khawaja.
“If you see Australia’s batting, they have just one batter (Travis Head) who is in form… Now it’s the turn of others like Labuschagne, Marsh, and Khawaja,” Ali commented.
“India’s Best Chance to Win” – Basit Ali on the Fourth Test
Ali believes the fourth Test in Melbourne offers India their best opportunity to secure a series lead. He highlighted that India’s fightback to avoid a follow-on in Brisbane has given them a psychological edge.
“Melbourne will offer the best wicket compared to the earlier Tests. It will be India’s best chance to win,” Ali predicted in his video.
However, he cautioned that India’s batting line-up must step up to capitalize on the momentum gained from the Brisbane draw.
“India have the momentum after saving the follow-on, but if their batters repeat the mistakes they made in Adelaide and Brisbane, then they will face problems,” he concluded.
High-Stakes Melbourne Test
As the series heads into its decisive phase, both teams will be eager to deliver strong performances in Melbourne. For Australia, it’s about staying alive in the WTC final race, while for India, it’s an opportunity to assert dominance and take a vital step toward another Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph.
