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India are scheduled to play 4 Tests in Australia in December and January (AFP Photo)

Brisbane wins hosting rights for opening Test: India tour of Australia likely to start on December 3

India are likely to begin the much-anticipated tour of Australia in Brisbane from December 3. Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney are set to host the other 3 Tests of the 4-match series.

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HIGHLIGHTS

The iconic Gabba in Brisbane is all set to host the opening Test of a much-anticipated 4-match Test series against India in December as the tour of Australia is scheduled to start on December 3.

Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) sources confirmed to India Today the schedule is agreed on between the two boards. They also say the schedule is assuming the novel coronavirus situation in Australia doesn't worsen. If that happens the one venue option might be brought back.

But as on date, the tour is scheduled to start in Brisbane and will be played in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The 2nd Test, likely to be a day-night affair, will be played at the Adelaide Oval while Melbourne and Sydney will host their traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Test.

Cricket Australia is set to announce the international schedule for Australia's 2020-21 season on Friday. As many as 5 international men's teams are scheduled to tour Down Under if things go as planned amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Notably, Virat Kohli's men will face a stiff test as Australia have not lost a single match at the Gabba since 1988. India did not play a Test at the Gabba during their tour of 2018-19 in which they went on to create history by winning the Test series 2-1.

India's woeful record at Australia's fortress

India will not play at the new Perth Stadium in Perth wherein they lost their only Test during the 2018-19 series.

India have played 6 Tests at the Gabba and have not managed to win even once -- 5 defeats and a draw. The last time India played at the Gabba in 2014, Australia clinched a 4-wicket win in what turned out to be MS Dhoni's final Test series.

Cricket Australia reportedly mulled the idea of organising a 5-Test series but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said it will not be possible for India to play 5 Tests.

It remains to be seen if spectators will be allowed to the stadiums even if the tour gets green light from the authorities.

Earlier BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said India are willing to take all the precaution measures, including the 14-day isolation period, to make sure the series is played.

"There is no choice everyone will have to do that. You would want to resume cricket. Two weeks is not that long a lockdown. That would be ideal for any sportsman because when you are in quarantine for such a long period, then going to another country and having a two-week lockdown it would be a good thing to do. We'll have to see what the norms are post this lockdown," Dhumal told Sydney Morning Herald.