The BCCI announced that the highly anticipated India-Australia Test series will start on February 9 in Nagpur. After a three-day break, the final Border-Gavaskar test series before it expands to five matches will be played in Delhi (February 17–21). Prior to the third Test in Dharamsala (March 1–5), the teams will have a week off. Thereafter, there will be a shorter turnaround before the final Test in Ahmedabad (March 9-13).
When Australia visits India for a four-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in early next year, in February, Delhi will host a Test match for the first time in more than five years. The last Test played in Delhi was in December 2017, against Sri Lanka.
The stadium witnessed Anil Kumble’s famous 10/74 in an innings, against Pakistan in 1999. With these figures, Kumble became only the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all the ten wickets in an innings.
In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 29th Test ton at this venue, equalling Sir Donald Bradman’s record for the most number of centuries in Test cricket.
In 2005, Sachin Tendulkar went past Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries, registering his 35th Test ton in the second Test against Sri Lanka at this venue.
India should be optimistic about their chances of improving their position in the World Test Championship during their final two series of this phase. India’s percentage will increase to 68.06 if they complete a perfect six-on-six, which will be higher than Australia’s score even if they win all five of their home Test matches.
