The excitement is palpable as Australia and India gear up for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious cricket series that captivates fans worldwide. As the two cricketing giants prepare to clash in a five-match Test series for the first time since 1992, the series promises to be a thrilling spectacle. Set to kick off in November and conclude in January, the series will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports and available for streaming on discovery+.
Historically, India has been dominant in recent encounters, having won their last four Test series against Australia, including two victories on Australian soil. This streak raises the stakes for the Australian team, led by captain Pat Cummins, who is determined to avoid a fifth consecutive series loss. As fans eagerly await the outcome, the question looms: Can Australia reclaim their former glory, or will India continue their reign?
The series will commence on November 22 at Optus Stadium in Perth, followed by subsequent Tests at renowned venues including the Adelaide Oval and The Gabba in Brisbane. The traditional Boxing Day Test will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, culminating in the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January. The complete schedule has noted the following matches:
1. **1st Test** – Optus Stadium, Perth: November 22-26
2. **2nd Test** – Adelaide Oval: December 6-10
3. **3rd Test** – The Gabba, Brisbane: December 14-18
4. **4th Test** – Melbourne Cricket Ground: December 26-30
5. **5th Test** – Sydney Cricket Ground: January 3-7
For fans in the UK, keeping up with all the action is made easy, as every match will be aired live on TNT Sports and streaming on discovery+. The opening Test in Perth will commence at 2:20 AM UK time, while the second Test at Adelaide, a day-night encounter, will begin at 4:00 AM UK time. TNT Sports boasts a robust presence on major television platforms, offering multiple channels including TNT Sports 1 through 4, supplemented by digital channels and the TNT Sports Ultimate service. Subscriptions are available through various providers such as BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media, and cricket enthusiasts can utilize the Pub Finder tool to locate nearby venues showing the matches.
As for the teams themselves, Australia faces a significant setback without all-rounder Cameron Green, who is sidelined due to a back injury. Nathan McSweeney, a promising domestic player, is expected to step in and open the batting, allowing veteran Steve Smith to regain his preferred position at No. 4. The Australian bowling attack remains formidable with three bowlers—Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon—ranked within the top 10 of the ICC Test rankings. Marnus Labuschagne, who excelled with the bat during India’s last tour, will take the No. 3 spot in the order.
On the Indian side, the squad will miss captain Rohit Sharma for the initial Test due to the recent birth of his second child; in his absence, bowler Jasprit Bumrah will take command of the team. Rohit is anticipated to rejoin the squad for the second Test. Shubman Gill’s participation is uncertain due to injury, adding another layer of complexity to India’s batting lineup. Nonetheless, the veteran batsman Virat Kohli continues to seek his first Test century since July 2023, adding pressure and motivation to perform.
In terms of player rosters, the Australian squad includes:
– Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc.
India’s team lineup features:
– Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.
With the build-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy creating waves of anticipation, fans are poised for an exhilarating clash between cricketing titans. Don’t miss the chance to watch every ball of this prestigious series exclusively on TNT Sports and discovery+.
