'Australia will win not win more than one match' - Indian experts make their predictions ahead of BGT

Predictions: India to win BGT 3-0 (Source: Twitter)

The high-octane Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series between India and Australia begins Thursday. India, the hosts for the upcoming series, are eyeing a hattrick of Test series wins against the Aussies, with the first Test scheduled to be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

Ahead of the high-profile clash, several Cricket experts in India made predictions on the Aakashvani show streaming on JioCinema. These predictions included the highest-run getter, the highest wicket-taker and the final series scoreline.

Abhinav Mukund, Aakash Chopra expect India to win BGT 3-0

Almost every expert on the panel backed India to win the series; what's more striking is that many predict it will be a clean sweep for the hosts. "I think it should be 3-0. I am just giving the benefit of the doubt; I don't think Australia will win even one Test. If they are lucky, they might just end up winning one, but I think it will be 3-0," said former Indian batter.

He expects Ravichandran Ashwin and Steve Smith to be the highest wicket-taker and run-getter, respectively. "Steve Smith - great record versus India; I think it should be him who will get a lot of runs. I am guessing he will get the most runs; otherwise, I don't think anything will go right for Australia. Most wickets - Ashwin, too many left-handers; he is just coming too well prepared. Tough fight from Jadeja, but I think Ashwin will get the most wickets," he added.

Interestingly, Smith scored 499 runs when the Aussies last played a Test series in India in 2017 and were their highest run-scorer. Ashwin, with 21 wickets, was the second-highest wicket-taker in that series, four fewer than Ravindra Jadeja.

Cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra also backs Ashwin as the highest-wicket taker for the series believing India will win the series 3-0 or 3-1. "Most wickets - it is a simple story - Ravichandran Ashwin, Ash for the win. He will pick up a lot of wickets - more than 23 wickets in four matches, and India to win either 3-0 or 3-1. Australia will not win more than one match; I am convinced," Chopra remarked.