The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to be an epic battle between two cricketing superpowers, as the World Test Championship final qualification hangs in the balance. As the five-match series gets under way in Perth on November 22, let us analyze the five players who might potentially shape the outcome of this prestigious series. BGT 2024-25: Who are top five most valuable players in Test series? Jasprit Bumrah Image Source : Getty images Jasprit Bumrah leads India's pace attack and the team in the series-opener of BGT 2024-25. He is the most valuable player going into this contest. His record in the conditions of Australia itself speaks volumes of his adaptability and effectiveness; 32 wickets in 7 Tests at an average of 21.25. What makes Bumrah particularly dangerous in BGT 2024-25 is his unique bowling action and ability to generate steep bounce from good-length areas. The Australian batsmen have already expressed their concerns about facing him, with both Usman Khawaja and Travis Head acknowledging the threat he poses. His recent form and the added responsibility of captaincy in the first Test could further elevate his performance. Also Read | Top Players with the Highest Strike Rate in T20 Cricket History Pat Cummins Image Source : Getty images The Australian captain enters BGT 2024-25 with a point to prove. Despite being named Player of the Series in India's last tour Down Under (2020-21) with 21 wickets, Cummins couldn't prevent his team from losing the series. His overall record against India - 50 wickets in 13 Tests at 26.18 - demonstrates his consistency against quality opposition. In BGT 2024-25, Cummins's job is also not limited to just taking wickets. He will be required to manage his bowlers effectively over five Tests while simultaneously maintaining his performance levels. His ability to contribute valuable runs lower down could prove crucial in tight situations. Rishabh Pant Image Source : X.com Perhaps no player embodies the unpredictable nature of Test cricket better than Rishabh Pant. The way he has returned to Test cricket following that horrific car accident has been remarkable, and his record in Australia makes him a crucial player for BGT 2024-25. With 624 runs at an average of 62.40 in Australian conditions, Pant has proved himself to be able to dominate the world's best bowling attack. Pant is a gold dust in BGT 2024-25 because he has the ability to alter the course of an entire match quickly. That he does it with high-quality wicketkeeping skills makes him even more of a match-winner. His form in 2024, scoring 422 runs in five Tests, suggests he's all set for another great run Down Under. Travis Head Image Source : Getty Images Travis Head arrives for BGT 2024-25 as perhaps Australia's most consistent performer across formats. His record against India includes a magnificent 163 in the World Test Championship final of 2023; that has been compiled (715 runs at 42.05 in 10 Tests). What makes Head so dangerous in BGT 2024-25 is his outstanding home record - 1922 runs at 50.57 in 27 Tests. His reckless batting through the middle order gives Australia that ultimate counter-punching capability in BGT 2024-25. Quick scoring against both the new and old ball is crucial for Head, especially to seize momentum in crucial phases of the game. Virat Kohli Image Source : Getty Images Despite recent Test setbacks, a place for Virat Kohli in the list of most valuable cricketers for BGT 2024-25 is not unfounded because of his exceptional record in Australia. Kohli has been a consistent performer at Australian conditions with 1352 runs and six centuries in just 13 matches at 54.08. Kohli becomes remarkably interesting for BGT 2024-25 as he has been responding lately to criticism with the excellent performances. Questions about his future in Test cricket will be an additional stimulation of what could have silenced critics during IPL 2024 and during the T20 World Cup. The BGT 2024-25 provides him with a perfect platform to reassert his credentials in Test cricket. Also Read | Border-Gavaskar Trophy History: Key Moments & Rivalry The Effect on BGT 2024-25 These five players will play all-important parts in finishing the BGT series 2024-25. A good performance can make a difference in the series result or, in addition to it, in the qualification of their respective teams for the World Test Championship final. India would come off an arduous series against New Zealand whereas Australia would also return to Test cricket following a break. The performance of these key players would be the difference between getting the match won and lost. Conclusion With the BGT 2024-25 series, these five cricketers stand at a crossroads where each wears the weight of the hopes and aspirations of his respective teammates. Here is an opportunity the series creates for them to not only make their legacies better but also write the future of Test cricket. Whlile Bumrah and Cummins look to terrorize with the ball, the batting skills of Pant, Head, and Kohli may well determine which one comes out on top in this battle of epic proportions. The BGT 2024-25 is well above the other test series -it is a clash of the titans where the difference maker will be individual brilliance. As cricket followers wait with bated breath for the start of this coveted series, these five players will be unlocking what promises to be an exciting chapter in the rich history of India-Australia Test cricket. Their performances will not only shape the outcomes of matches but may also tailor a new narrative in Test cricket in the modern era.