Dates for India's Tour To Australia Released; First Test Starts Dec 3 At Gabba; D/N Test Included
As per reports, India will begin the first Test at Gabba in Brisbane on December 3 with the second Test being Day-Night fixture in Adelaide from December 11.
by GS Vivek
In what comes as a positive news which will cheer up the cricket fans and enthusiasts across the globe amid hope that international cricket will take some form of resumption, Cricket Australia released the itinerary for India's tour to Australia later this December, confirming that the four Test match series will go ahead as planned, irrespective of the World cup or the Indian Premier League (IPL) in September.
As per reports, India will begin the first Test at Gabba in Brisbane on December 3 with the second Test being Day-Night fixture in Adelaide from December 11. Australia have retained their traditional Boxing Day and New Year Test at MCG and Sydney, while three-match ODI series will see India lock horns with the Aussies at Perth, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
According to reports, there will be a very limited crowd allowed for the series with no spectators from India, apart from the Indian team and support staff/officials.
The India vs Australia Test series more popularly known as the 'Border-Gavaskar' Trophy (since 1996-97) is one of the high voltage Test series played between two of the strongest teams in the international arena. Both India and Australia have been consistently ranked among the top four Test nations in the longer format of the game for the past few seasons.
India currently holds the 'Border Gavaskar' Trophy after they beat Australia 2-1 in the 2017 series at home and then retaining it in the 2018–19 series contested between the Test powerhouses 'Down Under', where the Indians won by the same margin. Virat Kohli and Co. created history by becoming the first ever Indian team in over 70 years to win a Test series on Australian soil.
While India are atop the ICC World Test Championship table with 360 points in their kitty, Australia are right below them occupying the second spot with 296 points. Meanwhile in the latest ICC Test rankings, Australia hold the 'Numero Uno' position with 116 points, while India are currently placed in the third spot with 114 points.