Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has urged cricket fans to "enjoy it while you can," as several of the biggest stars from both Australia and India could be playing their final Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. The highly anticipated five-match Test series between the two cricketing giants will begin on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth, with a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on the line.
Langer pointed out that a number of key players from both teams are nearing the twilight of their careers, making this series potentially the last time they play in one of the most fiercely contested cricket rivalries. Players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc are all approaching the end of their playing days, and their performances in this series could be some of their final appearances in the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil.
While India is coming off a disappointing home series loss to New Zealand, Langer reminded fans that despite their critics labeling the Indian team as an aging unit, it would be unwise to write them off. "You never write off champions, that’s true in any sport," Langer said in an interview with The West Australian.
He emphasized that while India’s cricketing strength comes under pressure with expectations from over a billion fans, both in India and around the world, their ability to respond under such intense scrutiny is what makes them special. "In India, with one and a half billion cricket fans, and millions more around the world, the expectations are always high," Langer explained. "The team will feel intense pressure, and how they respond will be crucial. They’ll be written off for being too old, but people say that all the time. I just can’t wait to see them in action."
Langer also made sure to highlight the importance of appreciating cricketing legends like Kohli, Sharma, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah. He urged fans to enjoy the greatness of these players, especially if this turns out to be their last series in Australia. "If this is Kohli's last tour, I hope fans appreciate watching him because he’s a superstar, and so are Rohit Sharma, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Bumrah," Langer added.
The former coach didn’t stop there, also urging fans to savor the brilliance of Australia’s legendary bowling attack, which features the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. This group has been the backbone of Australia's success over the years, and Langer made it clear that with many of them nearing the end of their careers, this could be one of the final chances for fans to witness their mastery on Australian soil.
As the two teams prepare to face off in what promises to be an intense and thrilling series, Langer’s message is clear: appreciate the talents of these cricketing greats, as their time at the top may be coming to a close. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been one of the most exciting and unpredictable contests in the world of cricket, and with the stakes higher than ever, fans are in for an unforgettable series.
