Islamabad, Feb 8: The cricketing world is abuzz as India and Australia prepare to resume their fierce rivalry in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, spanning from late 2024 into early 2025. This five-match Test series, the first of its kind between these two nations since the 1991-92 season, promises to be a cricketing spectacle, with matches scheduled across Australia’s most iconic venues.
Detailed Match Schedule and Venues
- First Test:
- Dates: November 22-26, 2024
- Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
- Match Start Time: 7:50 AM IST
- Second Test (Day-Night):
- Dates: December 6-10, 2024
- Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Match Start Time: 9:30 AM IST
- Third Test:
- Dates: December 14-18, 2024
- Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
- Match Start Time: 5:50 AM IST
- Fourth Test (Boxing Day Test):
- Dates: December 26-30, 2024
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
- Match Start Time: 5:00 AM IST
- Fifth Test (New Year Test):
- Dates: January 3-7, 2025
- Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
- Match Start Time: 5:00 AM IST
Team Preparations and Key Players
India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, is determined to secure its third consecutive Test series victory on Australian soil. However, the team faces early challenges, with skipper Rohit Sharma set to miss the opening Test due to personal commitments, and young talent Shubman Gill sidelined by a thumb injury. In their absence, seasoned players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul are expected to play pivotal roles.
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Australia, captained by Pat Cummins, aims to leverage home advantage to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team boasts a formidable lineup, with batting stalwarts such as Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, complemented by a potent pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Cummins himself.
Broadcast and Live Streaming Details
Cricket enthusiasts can catch the live action of the India vs. Australia Test series on the Star Sports network, with streaming available on the Disney+ Hotstar platform. Match timings vary based on the venue, so fans are advised to check local listings for accurate start times.
Historical Context and Series Significance
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has historically been a fiercely contested series, with both teams showcasing exceptional talent and resilience. In the previous three series, India emerged victorious with a 2-1 margin in both the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours in Australia, and also clinched the 2022-2023 series held in India. Currently, Australia leads the World Test Championship standings, closely followed by India.
A dominant performance in this series is crucial for both teams to bolster their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final scheduled at Lord’s in June 2025.
As the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the commencement of this high-stakes series, the upcoming matches between India and Australia are poised to deliver enthralling cricketing moments that will be remembered for years to come.
