Border-Gavaskar Trophy right on par with Ashes: Mitchell Starc

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc feels the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is at par with the Ashes now that the series will feature five Tests. This is the first time India and Australia will be involved in a five-match Test series since 1991-92. The series will start on November 22 and will go on till the first week of January 2025.

"Being five matches now it's probably right on par with an Ashes series," Starc told Wide World of Sports, also stating how eager they are win every single game. 

India and Australia are currently the top two sides in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle and are favourites to fight for the title next year. Australia haven’t won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2014-15. They have even lost the last two series at home, both by the margin of 2-1. 

"We always want to win every game at home and we know India are a very strong team," said Starc. 

"As we're placed at the minute, we're the top two teams on the Test ladder... so a very exciting series coming up for the fans and certainly the players. Hopefully when we're sitting there on the 8th of January, we have that trophy back on our shores."

The 34-year-old fast bowler is also just 11 games away from 100 Tests. He has 358 wickets at an average of 27.74 and a strike rate of 48.6. "...every time I get to wear the baggy green cap, it feels very special. Hopefully it's five times through the summer with five wins and we can sing that song five times, then we move on from there.

"If it does come to a point where I'm lucky enough to get past that 100 number, then it's obviously going to be pretty special as well.”

Starc is also part of Australia’s squad for the five-match ODI series in England but has been rested for the T20I leg. 

"The Tests will always be taking precedence for me. We've got seven Tests on the bounce with five against India and then two in Sri Lanka, so they sit top of the tree with what's coming up."

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