Australian players advised to ditch IPL friendships for India Tests: ‘It’s getting harder…’

Head Coach of Team India Gautam Gambhir insisted he wants his team to play aggressively against Australia in the five-match Test series that begins on Friday. Gambhir and the Indian players will be desperate to prove a point after being thrashed 3-0 by New Zealand at home earlier this week. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke praised Gambhir for his aggressive thinking, saying international cricket has lost its competitive edge with players from different countries sharing dressing rooms in franchise cricket.

“I think it gets harder these days because you spend more time playing with opposition players. I think when I was playing or before the IPL it was a lot easier, you could see each other just as often and you weren’t on the same team.” But I think there is no doubt that is why India have been successful in Australia the last couple of times,” Clarke told ESPNCricinfo.

Clarke also urged the Australian players to leave friendships off the field during the series against India. Australia have not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014–15.

“I think all the players have made it clear that when they come into this country. There are no friends on the field. Off the field it’s good, but on the field you play for your country. You don’t play in the same IPL team,” he added.

“I’d like to think Australia would have the same attitude, you know. It’s not what you say. It’s not about the sledding, it’s about what you do. This is your intention, this is your attitude. . So I would be surprised if Australia weren’t in the same situation.”

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22 with the first Test in Perth.

The second Test, scheduled for December 6-10 at Adelaide Oval, will be played in an exciting day-night format under the stadium lights. Fans will then turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which runs from December 14 to 18.

The traditional Boxing Day Test, to be held from December 26 to 30 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, will bring the series to its penultimate stage.

The fifth and final Test, to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will be the highlight of the series, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest.

(with ANI inputs)