"It is the easiest team so far" - Former India spinner backs visitors to win BGT 2024-25

The scoreline of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) stands at 1-1 after the recently concluded drawn third Test in Brisbane. With the series at stake, the remaining two matches are expected to be closely fought battles.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, however, opined that India have the upper hand over the hosts. He suggested that this was the 'easiest' Australian batting lineup and that the visitors have a great chance of clinching victories in the fourth and fifth Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.

Hailing India as favorites for the last two BGT 2024-25 Tests, Harbhajan said in a video shared on his YouTube channel (from 10:03):

"This Australian team is vulnerable. I think it is the easiest team so far if I talk about batting. From what I have seen in the last two matches, sometimes it seems anyone can get out at any time. But when I see KL Rahul bat, he looks solid and will only get out to a good ball. Similarly, with [Ravindra] Jadeja, you will need a good ball to get him out. Even though [Virat] Kohli got out, it was to good balls. Australia have not shown any strength in batting."

The upcoming fourth BGT 2024-25 Test will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26. The last time India and Australia squared off in a Boxing Day Test, India completed a stunning eight-wicket victory in Melbourne under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy in 2020.

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"If you stop his runs, he will get out" - Harbhajan Singh's on how Indian bowlers can succeed against Travis Head in BGT 2024-25

Australian batter Travis Head has been a thorn in India's flesh in BGT 2024-25. Harbhajan Singh believes that India should work on not allowing the southpaw to score freely in the remaining two games.

He reckoned that Head could be dismissed early if the Indian bowlers stopped his flow of runs. Speaking in the aforementioned video, the cricketer-turned-commentator said (from 11:26):

"He [Head] has scored runs just on one side, in the direction of point and cover. I think India planned to bowl straight to him so that he has to score down the ground or on the leg side. We also didn't use the short ball much. Also, a plan isn't just for two overs but it has to be done continuously. If you stop his runs, he will get out."

Head has looked in sublime form in BGT 2024-25, hitting two centuries and an 89-run knock across five innings. He has scored 409 runs at an average of 81.80 and is the leading run-getter of the series.