The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to start on November 22 in Perth. A five-match Test series for both India and Australia will have immense importance, as the winner will find a place in the World Test Championship WTC final. The preparation has been geared up by both the teams, with key players expected to play a crucial role. Here's a detailed look at the players who can make a significant impact: Top Players to Watch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Virat Kohli (India) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats in Australia: Has scored 1352 runs in 13 tests, averaging 54.08. Virat Kohli is one of the biggest supports for India in Test cricket, primarily on tricky pitches. Though he has been out of form lately, Kohli has six centuries in 13 innings at Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is going to be a point wherein Kohli needs to prove people wrong and come back into his best form. He is a man who can stabilize the innings for his side while also playing aggressively against the Australian bowlers. Steve Smith (Australia) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats at No. 4: 19 centuries, averaging 61.46 Steve Smith will once again take up his preferred batting slot at No. 4 in the series. As an opener, however, Smith had found little luck after David Warner's retirement. Nevertheless, Smith is still one of the most dependable batsmen that Australia has. Smith, with 32 Test centuries, has all the experience and has the skills to bat long and move the Australian team's batting order. Also Read | Watch: Exclusive Promo Featuring Gavaskar and Ponting for BGT Rishabh Pant (India) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats in Australia: 624 runs in 7 matches, with an average of 62.40 Pant has already shown that he is a match-winner in Australia. He has been running riot for India, especially since returning to the sport after being out due to a serious injury. Aggression would be the defining trait for India in high-pressure situations, courtesy of Pant's ability to play counter-attacking innings. Travis Head (Australia) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats Against India: 715 runs in 10 matches, averaging 42.05 Travis Head is Australia's most dependable batter. He scores quickly and puts pressure on the opposition, which is a huge bonus. Head has been in very good form with his most notable innings being a 163-run knock in the WTC final against India earlier this year. His aggression in the middle order can make all the difference in this series. Pat Cummins (Australia) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats Against India: 50 wickets in 13 matches Pat Cummins is more than just a strike bowler for Australia-he is also their captain. Whoever has seen him will know that he is good on every surface to take wickets. Cummins will be leading the bowling attack for Australia. In the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy played in Australia between 2020-21, he took 21 wickets to win the Player of the Series award. Both the ball and the leader he is playing as will do wonders for Australia. Also Read | Which series is bigger: The Ashes or the Border-Gavaskar trophy? Jasprit Bumrah (India) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats in Australia: 32 wickets in 7 matches Jasprit Bumrah is one bowler for India, irrespective of the format. He can trouble the Australian top order by bowling accurate yorkers while getting reverse swing at regular intervals. Being experienced in Australian conditions and having the knack for picking crucial wickets at the right time, Bumrah can be a game-changer for India. Leadership skills will also come into the picture as he is set to captain India in the first Test. Yashasvi Jaiswal (India) Image Source: Getty Images Test Career Stats in 2024: 1407 runs in 14 matches, averaging 56.28 The young opener has been a revelation for India this year. Jaiswal has scored three centuries in Tests, including two double century at home and a ton in West Indies. However, this will be his first Test series in Australia, where the conditions are vastly different. How Jaiswal handles the Australian pace attack on fast and bouncy tracks will be critical for India’s success. Conclusion The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is going to be one of the most interesting Test series in recent times. Kohli, Pant, Smith, and Cummins are ready to face each other, and that would make it a very competitive battle on the field. Every eye will be on how these glittering stars who will start off the series in Perth with their guidance to take their teams home.