IND vs AUS: 'Edge on home conditions' - Cheteshwar Pujara Tips Australia as 'Realistic Favourites' for BGT Series

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India's veteran Test cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara has named Australia as the "realistic favourites" to win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

With the series opener in Perth starting November 22 (Friday), Pujara pointed to Australia’s home advantage and seasoned lineup as key factors that could give them a cutting edge over India.

Furthermore, he also highlighted the potential absence of Indian captain Rohit Sharma who may miss the first Test due to personal reasons, a development that could disrupt India's team balance.

Australia are the favourites to win the BGT: Cheteshwar Pujara

While speaking to Star Sports in a press conference ahead of the Perth opener, Australia have the advantage over India at their fortress. "Realistically, looking at the balance, Australia have the edge on home conditions. Injuries and Rohit not being there have disrupted our balance," he said.

At the same time, he highlighted that India have the chance to win the series but predicts Australia to come out on top this time around. "But can we win the series? Definitely, we can. There is no doubt about it. If I have to predict, Australia are the favourites to win the BGT series."

Meanwhile, the upcoming series holds extra weight for the hosts, who have faced setbacks in their last two home series against India. India clinched both tours by 2-1. India clinched their first-ever Test series win in Australia by beating the hosts 2-1 in the 2018-19 series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.

It is worth mentioning here that Cheteshwar Pujara played a substantial role for India in the series as he finished as the leading run-getter with 521 runs, studded with 3 centuries and a fifty, including a gritty 193 at the SCG.

Fast forward to the 2020-21 BGT series, despite injuries and the absence of Virat Kohli after the first Test, India pulled off a miraculous 2-1 victory under Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy.

It has been a decade since the Aussies last won a Test series against India. The last time Australia beat India in a Test series was during the four-match BGT series (2014-15), which they won by 2-0.

The Aussies must be really disappointed after falling short in their last two home series against India. On the other hand, Team India are down on confidence levels in the wake of their recent three-Test whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, which is their first home whitewash in 24 years.