After the exciting 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Seriesformer England captain Michael Vaughan has revealed his team Australia-India XI, a line-up that has sparked lively debates among cricket enthusiasts around the world. Australia’s win over India in the high-stakes series played a pivotal role in shaping Vaughan’s selections. Their team displays some of the most notable performances of the fiercely competitive fixtures, offering a combination of young talent and experienced stalwarts who left an indelible mark on the tournament.
Young openers
Sam Konstas: A surprising but promising choice by Vaughan, highlighting his confidence in the young batsman’s potential. Konstas made his Test debut in the high-pressure Melbourne match and showed maturity beyond his years, scoring 113 runs in two games. His 60 composed in his first innings caught the attention of the cricket world, proving that he belongs on the international stage.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Jaiswal’s consistent performances and his ability to adapt to different conditions earned him a well-deserved spot at the top. The young Indian opener was the visitors’ top run-scorer, amassing an impressive 391 runs at an average of 43.44. His tally included two fifties and a brilliant century, underlining his ability to build an innings under pressure.
Dynamic middle order
KL Rahul: Ranked at number 3 by Vaughan, Rahul showed his experience and versatility throughout the series. The Indian batsman contributed significantly, amassing 276 runs, including two brave fifties. His ability to anchor tackles while also accelerating when necessary made him a vital cog in the lineup.
Steve Smith: Vaughan opted for Australian Steve Smith at No. 4, a position the former captain has made his own. Smith was instrumental in Australia’s success, scoring 314 runs, which included two masterful centuries that demonstrated his unmatched skill and temperament in Test cricket.
travis head: Australian star batsman Travis Head cemented his place in the combined XI with a phenomenal series, topping the run charts. Head amassed 448 runs, with a dominant fifty-two centuries, underlining his dominance and reliability in the middle order.
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Goalkeeper and all-rounder
RISHABH PANTS: For the goalkeeper role, Vaughan relied on India’s dynamic Rishabh Pant. The 27-year-old delivered under pressure and scored 225 runs in the entire series. Pant’s fearless batting and his ability to rescue his team from precarious situations made him an invaluable asset to the team.
Ravindra Jadeja: A natural choice at number 7, Jadeja brought his all-round brilliance to Vaughan’s XI. The experienced Indian player contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 135 runs in three Tests while also claiming four crucial wickets. Jadeja’s versatility added depth and balance to the side.
Brilliance of the bowling attack
jasprit bumrah: Leading the bowling attack, Bumrah was the standout player of the series and a unanimous choice for Vaughan’s XI. The Indian pacer was named Player of the Series after a stellar performance in which he took 32 wickets, often putting up match-winning spells.
Pat Cummins: Australia’s captain and spearhead bowler Pat Cummins was an automatic inclusion. He finished the series as the second highest wicket-taker with 25 scalps, consistently delivering under pressure and leading his team with aplomb.
Mitchell Starc: Known for his lethal pace and ability to attack early, Starc played a pivotal role in dismantling opponents’ batting line-ups. The left-arm quick finished the series with 18 wickets, showing his ability to provide breakthroughs when his team needed them most.
Scott Boland: Boland’s inclusion in Vaughan’s XI was well deserved, thanks to his accuracy and crucial contributions in the closing stages of the series. The Australian seamer claimed 21 wickets, underlining his effectiveness in exploiting the conditions and adding depth to the formidable bowling unit.