‘Australia are known for their mind games; it’s their style of cricket’ – Star India bowler ahead of BGT 2023

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is without a doubt one of the most widely anticipated Test series in history. Over the years, the Australian and Indian national teams have developed into a fierce rivalry, and their matches are always entertaining to watch.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on February 9 in Nagpur, and both teams have begun their preparations. The fact that Australia have lost to India in the last three Border-Gavaskar Trophy games is something they would like to change.

Steve Smith, an Australian batter, recently voiced his displeasure over his team’s choice to forgo the tour games before to the series. Smith thought that Australia would benefit more from independent training than from playing tour games on subpar Indian fields. Ravichandran Ashwin took note of the comments made by the Australian batter and referred to them as “mind games” that Australians are infamous for using.

We might have given them the green track, but nobody plans all these things: Ravichandran Ashwin

Smith claims that although they used a green top in 2017 for practice matches, a rank turner was utilized for the actual match. The right-handed batter claims that since the pitches are different from those used in practice, playing in games is useless.

Ashwin attacked Smith’s comments, saying they were reminiscent of the Australian team’s mind games and pre-series playing style. The Indian team, he added, had previously avoided exhibition matches due to its busy schedule.

“Smith said, ‘We got a green wicket in Brabourne and a completely opposite one in the first Test (during the 2017 series). In all fairness, it was a rank-turner in Pune. We might have given them the green track, but nobody plans all these things. However, Australia is known for its mind games and sledges before a series. They love doing that. It’s their style of cricket,” the veteran off-spinner said on his youtube channel while prevailing the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023.