The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series between Australia and India is coming soon. This five-match Test series will take place at some of Australia’s top cricket venues. Both teams want to win and secure a spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
Here’s what you need to know about the series, including the schedule and venues.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series Overview
India and Australia will start their five-Test series on November 22, 2024, in Perth. This series is important for both teams as they aim for a place in the WTC Final, which will happen in June 2025 at Lord’s.
India needs to win at least four out of five matches to ensure their spot, while Australia also wants to maintain its lead in the WTC standings.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Match Schedule
The five Tests will take place over seven and a half weeks across Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Here’s the schedule:
First Test
- Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
- Dates: November 22-26, 2024
- Start Time: 7:50 AM IST (2:20 AM GMT)
Second Test (Day-Night Test)
- Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Dates: December 6-10, 2024
- Start Time: 9:30 AM IST (4:00 AM GMT)
Third Test
- Venue: Brisbane Cricket Ground (The Gabba), Brisbane
- Dates: December 14-18, 2024
- Start Time: 5:50 AM IST (12:20 AM GMT)
Fourth Test (Boxing Day Test)
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
- Dates: December 26-30, 2024
- Start Time: 5:00 AM IST (11:30 PM GMT on the previous day)
Fifth Test (New Year’s Test)
- Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
- Dates: January 3-7, 2025
- Start Time: 5:00 AM IST (11:30 PM GMT on the previous day)
Venues Breakdown
Each venue offers different challenges:
- Perth Stadium has a fast and bouncy pitch, favouring fast bowlers.
- The Adelaide Oval, for the day-night Test, may see swing bowlers shine with the pink ball.
- The Gabba in Brisbane is a stronghold for Australia with its lively pitch that suits fast bowling.
- The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is one of cricket’s most important events.
- The SCG is known for becoming spin-friendly as the match proceeds.
Where to Watch
Fans can watch all the action live on Star Sports Network or Disney+ Hotstar. This series promises exciting matches as these two cricket giants face off in Australia’s famous stadiums.
India and Australia’s Squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Australia’s squad
For first Test: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India’s squad
For the series: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar
Why is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy so important?
This series is key for both teams to reach the WTC Final. Australia has a slight lead over India in the WTC standings.
India must win at least four matches to qualify without relying on other results. Australia needs to win five out of their seven remaining matches before June 2025 to confirm their place in the final.