Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Sunil Gavaskar ready for most competitive rivalry in world cricket

After more than a week shrouded in mystery and with the eyes of the cricket world on Perth, the city will today play host to a series dubbed the sport’s ultimate contest. Australia take on India in Western Australia’s most anticipated Test match in two decades from Friday at Optus Stadium. And for the final time, Indian superstar Virat Kohli — the man at the centre of the build-up — will face the music composed by Australia’s all-star pace attack. Officials are confident The West Test, which could run until Tuesday and will bring an explosion of colour and culture, will challenge the all-time crowd record for a five-day match in Perth. Indian cricket legend and Channel 7 commentator Sunil Gavaskar believes this is the most competitive rivalry in world cricket. Debate is now raging as to whether it is bigger than the Ashes — Australia’s fierce historical contests with England — and which series means more for our cricketers. Fans are tipped to vote with their feet for the massive international spectacle this weekend. “It is only an Australian player that can tell you if it is the Ashes or this series, but the competitiveness, the rivalry of the two teams and they way they have gone hammer and tongs at each other over the last few decades has been exceptional,” Test great Gavaskar told The West. “It has really got the crowds interested. The crowds want to watch both in India and over here. It has become a series to look forward to.” Australian captain Pat Cummins said a series against India — which his team haven’t won for a decade — are the biggest Tests the world-beating side face. “It has been the most closely-fought,” he said. “Obviously the Ashes has got a rich history and is really well watched as well, but the Border-Gavaskar has been very tight every series that I’ve seen in recent times. “It is big. Now having a five-Test match series for the first time adds that little bit extra . . . it’s a big one.” Gavaskar said the attention around India and Kohli, including extensive coverage by The West Australian has “blown his mind” across the past two weeks. A massive Indian media contingent have travelled Down Under for the series, including broadcaster Star Sports, who have featured The West’s front and back pages on their crosses this week. This is almost certain to be the final chance for Indian fans in Perth to catch a glimpse of the batting megastar, considered a god in his home country and one of its greatest celebrities. And Indian fans are expected to create a sea of blue. So much so, Optus Stadium is set to make a whopping 1.6 tonnes of butter chicken across the five days to cater. Stadium and cricket bosses have the record for a Test attendance in Perth — the 103,440 that flocked to watch Adam Gilchrist’s famous century at the WACA Ground in the 2006-2007 Ashes series — in their sights. More than 30,000 are expected for each of the first three days, which would smash the venue’s crowd record. Perth has secured the first Test of the summer for the next three seasons, including a clash with England. It means it will become the focus of the cricket world for up to two weeks each year. “What’s different about having the first Test . . . is you have the teams in town for longer than we normally would,” Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said. “Now we have had them in town for a week or more and people have heard those stories, hear from the players, to have a bit of intrigue around the shrouding of the net sessions, just added to the drama. “I’m sure that’s helped, and having the first Test of the summer has been a real boon to us.” The venue has also opened a new outlet dedicated to curries cooked by the same man who feeds the Indian team. Jinesh George, a chef at the stadium since its inception, says he has heard only good feedback from Indian players, revealing they often turn to vegetarian options to fuel themselves during games. “They said they really liked the food actually, they were happy with the food,” Mr George said. “I’m proud to cook for them, I am from India, so I love to cook for them.” The excitement won’t just be on the pitch, with thousands expected to flock to the free three-day festival celebrating India’s culture outside the stadium. On Friday, the Bharat Army will march through the festival to show their support for the Indian team. There will also be Bollywood dancers, stilt walkers, DJs and drummers. Asha Makwana will perform the garba dance and the Rajasthan folk dance at the event on Friday. Ms Makwana, a singer, dancer, actor and model, said she was looking forward to showcasing her culture. “I’m very excited, it’s an amazing opportunity,” she said. Ms Makwana is herself a cricket tragic. “I love it,” she said. “In India, it’s no question. It’s in our blood. We play cricket, we follow cricket and it’s quite an intense love behind this game.”