Cricket’s toughest rivalry reaches new peaks with Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Cricket’s toughest rivalry reaches new peaks with Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (Source – Getty Images)

Mumbai, December 20, 2024: Star Sports Network, the official broadcasters of Cricket Australia in India, has set new milestones with the phenomenal viewership of the second Test between Australia and India.

The thrilling day-night (D/N) encounter at Adelaide reached an astounding 49 million viewers—a 22% increase compared to the 2020 D/N Test between the two teams. The watch-time soared to 4.2 billion minutes, a remarkable 26% growth over the corresponding match in the 2020 series. The TVR for the Adelaide Test also witnessed significant growth, climbing 32% compared to the 2020 D/N Test.

Also Read: WTC 2023-2025: How Pakistan can help India qualify for final?

The first two Tests of the series have collectively reached 86 million viewers on television, representing a 55% increase compared to the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Watch-time has surged to 12.8 billion minutes, a staggering 75% growth over the previous edition. These record-breaking numbers reaffirm the immense popularity of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and highlight the unparalleled excitement surrounding this ‘toughest rivalry’.

With the five-Test series locked at 1-1 after three pulsating encounters in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, the stage is set for a dramatic climax to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 qualification race. Team India faces a high-stakes challenge in the final two Tests in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne from December 26 and the New Year’s Test in Sydney from January 3, where flawless performances are imperative.

To secure their spot in the WTC final, India cannot afford another defeat and can, at best, allow only one draw. The pathway to the summit clash is not a cakewalk for Australia either, with South Africa having leaped strongly into the race. Meanwhile, the next chapter of the ‘toughest rivalry’ unfolds with the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.