BCCI announce dates for Australia’s tour of India

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the dates for the upcoming Australian tour. The Aussies will make their way out to the Indian subcontinent to play a bevy of four Test matches under the banner of the Border-Gavaskar series. While the series has been billed on the basis of honoring two captains from different parts of the globe, it would seem fitting that four Tests are played as opposed to the three that have been played in recent times.

.@Paytm Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2017 – 1st Test (Feb 23-27 Pune), 2nd (Mar 4-8 Bengaluru), 3rd (Mar 16-20 Ranchi), 4th (Mar 25-29 Dharamsala)

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 21, 2016

The first Test will be played between the 23rd and 27th of February at Pune before both sides make the trip down south to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The Bangalore venue has seen the Indians beat the Aussies on both occasions in their previous two meetings. The third Test match will be played at the home of incumbent Indian limited overs skipper MS Dhoni – Ranchi before the conclusion of the Test series at the picturesque venue of Dharamsala.

The final Test will see the Indians inaugurate yet another Test match venue in the form of Dharamsala. This season has already seen the Indians inaugurate the Test venue at Indore. Now, with Rajkot becoming the 23rd Indian venue to witness Test matches being played, the picturesque and scenic venue of Dharamsala will become number 24.

The past couple of tours to India have been quite disastrous for Australia in recent times. The last time they made their way out to the subcontinent, they were whitewashed by the Indians 4-0. Moreover, in recent times, the Indians have also managed to impress with some impeccable performances in Tests , something that has seen them ascend to the world number one rankings in recent times.

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Before the start of the India series, however, the Aussies will play a series against South Africa at home. India will entertain England shortly after the conclusion of the ongoing series against New Zealand.