Test cricket is set to return to India in early 2023, with the Mighty Australians visiting for a four-match series. According to reports, Delhi will host one of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches during Australia’s tour of India in early 2023.
The city of Delhi will host its first Test match in five years. The previous game at Arun Jaitley Stadium was a draw against Sri Lanka in December 2017. Cricket fans will remember this game for one of the classics, Virat Kohli‘s double century.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Delhi from hosting any matches for two years. The remaining Tests are expected to be held in Dharamsala, Ahmedabad, and one of Chennai, Hyderabad, or Nagpur. As of now, Delhi will host the second match of the series.
“As soon as the Tours and Fixtures committee holds its meeting, the dates will be released. The third Test will likely take place in Dharamsala, which hosted its first and only Test against Australia in March 2017—almost six years ago,” an Indian Cricket Board source was quoted as saying.
The first Test will most likely be held in Chennai, Nagpur, or Hyderabad, with the final match taking place in Ahmedabad. One of the tests is expected to be a day-night test. With a total capacity of 110,000, Ahmedabad hosting a Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium could mean one of the largest crowds in cricket history.
The Indian Cricket Board has hosted three day-night Test matches with a pink ball: one against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2019, one against England in Ahmedabad in 2021, and one against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru earlier this year.
India and Australia in World Test Championship
The Border Gavaskar series will be the final series for both teams before the World Test Championship final. The final game will be played at the Oval in June next year. In the meantime, Australia is at the top of the WTC points table, with 70 points percentage. India, on the other hand, is in fourth place, with 52.08 points percentage.
