Beyond The Boundary: Mindgames intensify a week before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

With just over a week to go to the Border-Gavaskar , the mindgames have intensified especially after India coach Gautam Gambhir's press conference before leaving for Australia. The former India batter hit out at ex-Australia skipper Ricky Ponting who had commented on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's form coming into the series.

That, and more, was discussed on the latest episode of Beyond The Boundary that aired on November 14. On the episode, the panel that featured anchor Chetan Narula and Times of India Sports Group Editor K Shriniwas Rao, Manuja Veerappa and Dwaipayan Datta, also touched on other talking points going into the first Test in Perth from November 22.


The panel began the conversation on the topic of India getting their journey in Australia underway with a black cloth draped around their nets practice area.

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Up next on the points of discussion were Gambhir's comments backing Kohli and Rohit for being "still very hungry" and stressed that one can "never doubt their passion for the country".

With the Perth pitch curator stressing they will prepare a spicy track for the first Test, the panel discussed who could be decisive from both squads.

On the same note, India seamer Mohammed Shami's explosive return to cricket was discussed after he took four wickets on the second day of Bengal's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. It has revitalised India's hopes of bringing the bowler Down Under, provided he gets the necessary fitness clearance.

There were further discussions on Rohit Sharma's potential absence from the first Test even though he continued to train in Mumbai.