The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027 will be a huge opportunity for Australia to end their 22-year-long wait for a Test series victory in India. Despite the high stakes of the five-Test series, the Aussies have decided that they will once again opt for a training camp ahead of the tour rather than play a traditional warm-up match, as they look to finally end their long wait for a series win on the subcontinent.
Australia also chose not to play a tour match before the 2023 series, instead training on specially-prepared, spin-friendly pitches in Bengaluru before the opening test.
The decision drew scrutiny after India won the Nagpur opener by an innings and 132 runs, setting the tone for a 2-1 series victory that allowed the hosts to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia would scout a location to immerse themselves in conditions similar to India before the series opener in Nagpur starting January, 21.
“We’ve got a couple of options there,” he told Cricket Australia website Cricket.com.au on Wednesday.
“We have gone to the UAE previously and we have also gone into India last time into Bengaluru, so we’re just working through what that would look like in terms of how we then manage the individuals.”
Australia’s 22-Year-Long Winless Streak In India
Australia has not won a test series in India since 2004, when Adam Gilchrist’s side triumphed 2-1.
Australia have a gruelling schedule before they arrive in India, with a two-test home series starting against Bangladesh in Darwin next week followed by a three-test tour of South Africa in October and another four-test home series against New Zealand from December 9.
Fast bowler Michael Neser has been ruled out of the Bengaluru series with a calf strain suffered at training in Brisbane but McDonald said wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis is expected be available after recovering from a back spasm.
Border Gavaskar Trophy 2027 Schedule, And Venue:
1st test: India vs Australia
- Date – January 21, Thursday, 2027
- Venue – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur
- Time – 9:30 AM IST
2nd Test: India vs Australia
- Date – January 29, 2027
- Venue – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Time – 9:30 AM IST
3rd Test: India vs Australia
- Date – February 11, 2027
- Venue – Baspara Stadium, Guwahati
- Time – 9:00 AM IST
4th Test: India vs Australia
- Date – February 19
- Venue – JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
- Time – 9:30 AM IST
5th Test: India vs Australia
- Date – February 27, 2027
- Venue – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Time – 9:30 AM IST
What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a Test cricket series played between India and Australia. The series is held every two years, with the hosting rights alternating between India and Australia. As the name suggests, the series is named after two legendary former captains of the two teams, Australia’s Allan Border and India’s Sunil Gavaskar.
The series began in 1996-97 and has been held 17 times so far, with India winning 10 series and Australia winning six, while one series ended in a draw.
One of the biggest talking points heading into the 2027 edition is Australia’s long wait for success in India. The last time Australia won a Test series in India was in 2004-05, when Adam Gilchrist’s side secured a 2-1 series victory.
Australia did, however, manage to end India’s long unbeaten run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during the previous edition in Australia. The Aussies won the series 3-1, ending India’s run of four consecutive series victories and reclaiming the trophy on home soil.
(With inputs from Reuters)
