(BCCI Photo)
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has likened the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series to the Ashes in terms of commercial impact. The first Test between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22 at Perth Stadium. India has triumphed in the last two Border-Gavaskar series held in Australia and won their recent home series against Australia.
As India leads the World Test Championship points table and Australia is in second, the series holds significant interest for broadcasters Foxtel and Seven Network, drawing large crowds and high television viewership.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes are both massive tours: Nick Hockley
“The Border Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes are both massive tours on the Australian cricket calendar and are largely comparable in commercial terms, with fantastic crowds and huge broadcast audiences for each. Ticket sales from India are already six times greater than for the previous non-COVID series,” Hockley said in an e-mail interview, as quoted by HT.
Before 2018, the only time India avoided finishing as runners-up in Australia was in 2003, having lost three consecutive Test series in between. However, India has significantly improved as a Test team outside the subcontinent, demonstrating their strength with a notable victory in the decisive Test at the Gabba despite fielding a considerably weakened side. Nick Hockley addressed claims that the Indian team was being favored with “softer pitches,” firmly refuting such allegations.
“Australia’s iconic cricket venues each have their own unique pitch characteristics and conditions, which is what makes the series so intriguing, including, in more recent years, the introduction of the day-night Test,” Hockley said.
Following the first Test in Perth, the second Test will take place in Adelaide as a day-night match. India previously lost a day-night Test in Adelaide during the 2020-21 series, getting dismissed for just 36 runs, while Australia boasts a strong record with 11 wins out of 12 day-night Tests. The third Test is scheduled at the Gabba from December 14 to 18, followed by the Boxing Day Test at the MCG from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the final Test at the SCG from January 3 to 7, 2025.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, India will play a two-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval as preparation. Additionally, India A will engage in two four-day matches from October 31 to November 10 and a three-day intra-squad match starting November 15 at WACA to finalize the squad. Australia is currently on a break from international cricket and will resume with this high-profile series against India, generating significant anticipation among fans.
