The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to be a thrilling contest as Australia and India prepare to clash once again in the high-octane series. This time the high-profile series, scheduled to be played from November 2024 to January 2025, will have five Test matches for the first time in over three decades. It is one of the most anticipated showdowns in international cricket.

Australia are keen to retain the trophy after a decade of struggle, having been unsuccessful over the period of last ten years. The upcoming series presents a prime opportunity for Australia to leverage their home advantage and turn the tide in their favour. Australia, renowned for their competitive edge with the presence of explosive batters and bowlers, will be determined to capitalize on the familiar conditions. Sharing his views, former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has said that it is difficult to predict as to who is going to have the edge.

"You look at the line-ups, and it's hard to really tell who's got the edge. I sense that it's going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. So the best need to stand up in this series; runs are going to be at a premium. And I also feel like the structure of the tournament being from the west to the east is a bit of the unique way that the Australian landscape of cricket is going to be played out. It's usually the other way around. It's going to be a great summer,” Hayden told reporters at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards.

Matthew Hayden is also excited to watch young Indian gun Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has lived up to the expectations with his meticulous batting. He has plundered three centuries in nine Tests and has been a formidable batter in India’s top-order batting line-up.

"I think he's a package. Yes, his stroke-play is superb. His ability, in particular, to hit on the up through the covers is phenomenal. [But] that'll also have its vulnerabilities. I'm looking forward to seeing how he adjusts on bouncy tracks. We did notice a few times in the IPL that he's a very hard hitter of the ball - [with the] pull shots in particular,” Hayden said.

"But that'll be challenged by three world-class speedsters, assuming they're all fit, and on much bigger grounds as well - grounds where it has to almost be the perfect contact for that ball to sail over for six. You can get caught easily, three-quarters of the way in the fence. So they have little adjustments that world-class players like Jaiswal will make for sure."