Best players against Australia from the past who will miss the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Rishabh Pant (Source: Twitter)

There are players and then, there are those who give their everything for the nation. Border Gavaskar Trophy is one such event where these cricketers are willing to put their bodies on the line shedding blood and sweat.

While many of those would be seen in the upcoming series, there are some past heroes who would be missing this time around. Here are seven of those Indian superstars who have helped the country triumph previously over Australia but will not be playing in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

1. Murali Vijay

India's standalone opener for a very long time, Murali Vijay was remarkable during his era when he gave some magnificent headstarts with his quality batting. Vijay's best came in the 2014 series, where he played a valiant 144-run knock in Brisbane. 

However, his 99 in the Adelaide Test in that series only is considered as a special effort with him forming an outstanding partnership with Virat Kohli but unfortunately, couldn't chase down the target on the final day.

2. Shikhar Dhawan

Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan announced himself on the big stage with an unbelievable 187 in Mohali during the Kangaroo's tour in 2013, which made sure that his side reached 499. 

Another of his rememberable knock came in Brisbane Test in 2014, where he displayed grit to record 81 on a tough bouncy wicket. While he hanging in there, others were finding it difficult to extend their stay at the crease beyond a few deliveries.

3. Ajinkya Rahane

Whenever India have found itself in trouble overseas, the calm Mumbaikar Ajinkya Rahane has always put his hand up to save them from embarrassment. Two of his best knocks came in Melbourne, one in 2014, which proved to be then-skipper MS Dhoni's last and the other one in 2020. 

During the 2014 Test, he played 171 balls for his 147 in their first innings, which did help as they were able to draw the game in the final stage. Moreover, the second century came in 2020 after they were humiliated in Adelaide, along with bearing the loss of skipper Virat Kohli who went home prior to the game. His effort ensured India of the victory which they achieved after bowling them out.

4. Rishabh Pant

One of the most promising Test players in the recent era and someone who can change the complexion of the game in a matter of time with his big-hitting ability, Rishabh Pant is a superstar of the Indian team. The left-hander has been an icon for India, who smacked centuries during their overseas tours in Australia, England and South Africa. 

However, Pant played a thunderous 159-run unbeaten knock in the fourth Test of the 2018/19 tour Down Under, which helped the visitors to draw the game and take the series 2-1. But his more iconic innings was in 2021, where he scored 89* on the final day of the most remarkable game in India's cricket history, i.e. the Gabba Test taking them to victory in the very last session.

5. Jasprit Bumrah

India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been at the helm of things since his arrival in international cricket. The right-armer grabbed a 6/33 during the 2018 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he decimated the Aussies with his pace and bounce, bowling them out for just 151 in the first innings, which later resulted in India winning the game by a margin of 137 runs. 

Co-incidentally, his another best performance against the Australian side came at the 'G' only in 2020, where he bagged 4/56, which proved too tough for the home side to cope with as they surrendered their innings on 195 with India again winning by eight wickets.

6. Ishant Sharma

Tall, lanky, right-arm fast bowler Ishant Sharma run-riot against Ricky Ponting during the Perth Test in 2008, but his best came against the Aussies in the same year when he scalped 4/77 in Bangalore. 

Furthermore, he bettered his record during the 2018 Perth Test grasping figures of 4/41, which was enough for their opponents as he bowed them down with his fiery bounce and pace.

7. Hanuma Vihari

India's saviour on many occasions, Hanuma Vihari's fight during the Sydney Test in 2021 where even after injuring his leg during the game. India were on a tough situation at the moment, and they needed someone to glue a partnership for a long time. The series was levelled 1-1 at that moment and went on to win the series later.