NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (
BCCI
) and Cricket Australia (CA) have confirmed that the
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
would be played in five Tests next summer.
For the first time since 1991-92, Australia and India will play a five-Test series this summer. The extended Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be the highlight of the 2024-25 home summer calendar, which will be announced in the following days.
Jay Shah
, BCCI secretary, stated, "The BCCI remains committed to preserving the rich heritage of Test Cricket, a format we hold in high regard.
"Our continuous partnership with Cricket Australia to expand the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to five Tests demonstrates our shared commitment to developing and enhancing Test cricket's importance.
"This extension reflects our common objective of amplifying the essence of Test cricket and preserving its legacy. As India and Australia join forces, we expect a spectacular spectacle that will grab fans worldwide with its energy and excitement."
Mike Baird
, CA Chair, added, "We are very thrilled that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been extended to five Tests, considering the tremendous rivalry between our two great cricketing nations and the excitement this generates.
"The cricket world will be watching Australia, and I'm convinced Pat Cummins' World Champion squad will be able to overcome the quality and depth of the Indian team, which has played wonderfully to win the last two series here and reclaim the trophy.
"We appreciate the work with the BCCI, and I agree with Mr Shah about the importance of Test cricket. We look forward to hosting their squad, officials, and supporters for what promises to be a fantastic series and a highlight of a busy summer of cricket."
In the last four
Test series
between the two sides, India has been the superior team, winning all four. This includes winning the Test series in Australia in consecutive years, 2018-19 and 2020-21 (by similar 2-1 margins).
In 2018-19, India became the first Asian team to win a test series in Australia.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been extended for this and subsequent series to acknowledge the position of the nations that competed in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final, as well as their ongoing commitment to the game's premier international format.
(With inputs from IANS)
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