Only 2 of previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy venues retained as BCCI announces schedule

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on March 26 announced the schedule for Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2026-27. The series against Australia will be India's final Test series in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. As per the new schedule, only two previous venues have been retained.

In Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, there were four Tests compared to five in the 2027 series. The opener was held at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. Nagpur has been retained and will host the opener once again, starting January 21, 2027.

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Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium will not host an India-Australia Test this time. The decision may have been taken keeping the smog in mind. However, BCCI has allotted ODI series opener against Sri Lanka to Delhi which is scheduled to take place on December 13.

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After Delhi, Indore's Holkar Stadium has lost the hosting rights as well. Australia's only win on the previous tour came in Indore on a dust bowl of a pitch which was rated poor by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The second Test of BGT 2027 will take place in Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, starting January 29. Chennai will host an India-Australia Test after 14 years. So, far the two teams have played 10 Tests at the venue.

The third Test will take place at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, commencing on February 11. This will be the first time Guwahati will be hosting an India-Australia Test. So far, Barsapara Stadium has hosted just one Test. A few months ago, South Africa had beaten India comprehensively by 408 runs.

Ranchi's JSCA International Stadium Complex will host the fourth Test of the series starting February 29. The only India-Australia Test in Ranchi took place in 2017. The Test ended in a draw.

The fifth and final Test of the series will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, starting February 27. It is only the second venue which hosted a Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test on Australia's previous tour as well. The Test ended in a draw.

Australia to follow Kiwi and Proteas footsteps?

Australia will look to end their Test series win drought on Indian soil. The last time Australia won a Test series in India was in 2004. In recent years, New Zealand and South Africa have ended their Test series win droughts on Indian soil as well.