"The atmosphere has changed" - Basit Ali feels Australia won't sledge India in 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to IPL

Former Pakistani batter Basit Ali expects Australia to avoid sledging the Indian players in the upcoming 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He suggested that the Australians would want to avoid verbal battles in the five-match Test series because of the Indian Premier League (IPL) factor.

Australia are known to adopt psychological warfare in crucial series, especially at home. However, Basit felt Pat Cummins and company would change their ways for India.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-expert said (from 11:55):

"There won't be a lot of sledging from Australia because they now also play in the IPL. When they came to India, did the Indians do any sledging? The atmosphere has changed a little now."

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will likely lead the team in the series opener in regular skipper Rohit Sharma's absence. Basit, however, expressed his apprehensions over the speedster's leadership skills. He added (from 8:42):

"Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side. Virat Kohli will give him some advice. I saw his captaincy against England, it was not so impressive."

It is worth mentioning that India have emerged victoriously in their last two visits to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the stakes will be higher for the visitors this time, given that they need to win by 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship 2023-25 final on their own.

The two cricketing giants are set to clash in a five-match Test series for the first time since 1991-92. The opening encounter will be played in Perth, beginning Friday, November 22.

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"Virat Kohli should not bat at No. 3" - Basit Ali on the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

With Rohit Sharma unavailable and Shubman Gill injured ahead of the Test series opener, India need to find a new opener and a No. 3. Senior batter Virat Kohli left his usual No. 4 spot and batted at No. 3 in Gill's absence in the first Test of the three-match home series against New Zealand last month.

Basit opined that India should not make the mistake of asking Kohli to bat at No. 3 in the Perth Test against Australia.

He remarked in the same video (from 2:47):

"Virat Kohli should not bat at No. 3. It would be a very bad decision because you made play differently by preparing spin-friendly pitches. You have to play session-to-session in Australia."

Urging India head coach Gautam Gambhir not to change Kohli's batting position, he added (from 3:33):

"If Gautam Gambhir asks Virat Kohli to bat at No. 3, he will be doing a big injustice in my eyes. In Rohit Sharma's absence, there will be a lot of attention on Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant."

Basit emphasized that Kohli will have to be at his vintage best for India to stand a chance against the formidable Australian bowling unit, elaborating (from 8:12):

"Virat Kohli will have to show that he is Virat Kohli. The Indian fans will be disappointed if India's performance is similar to what it was against New Zealand."

Kohli has a stellar record on Australian soil. The right-handed batter has chalked up 1352 runs across 25 Test innings at an average of 54.08 in Australia.