Border-Gavaskar Trophy at par with the Ashes in commercial terms: CA CEO Nick Hockley

India are the current holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley has made a huge statement on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) while comparing it with the iconic Ashes series in terms of commercial and broadcasting value.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is contested between cricket powerhouses India and Australia, has seen a rise in popularity due to the tough competition between the two nations and the involvement of some of the greatest test players of all time.

Notably, India’s recent success on Australian soil, where they clinched two consecutive series (2018-19 and 2020-21), has hyped up the rivalry even more.

The first BGT series was held in India in October 1996 and it was only a one-off test between the two teams. India won the one-off test.

So far, 16 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series have been played between the two nations. Indian have won 10 series, whereas Australia have clinched five till now. Only one series, in 2003/04 in Australia, ended in a draw.

Both tours are massive on the Australian cricket calendar

The growing competition between the two nations has raised the status of the BGT series, which is now at the same level as the historic Ashes series between arch-rivals England and Australia. 

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said that both series (BGT and Ashes) are massive in the Australian cricket calendar in terms of commercial value. Hockley further added that the ticket sales for the upcoming series against India have already surpassed the previous series.

“The Border Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes are both massive tours on the Australian cricket calendar and are largely comparable in commercial terms, with fantastic crowds and huge broadcast audiences for each. Ticket sales from India are already six times greater than for the previous non-COVID series,” Hockley told Hindustan Times.

The CA CEO further revealed that the introduction of the day-night test and the different nature of pitches at different venues have made the series more exciting.

“Australia’s iconic cricket venues each have their own unique pitch characteristics and conditions, which is what makes the series so intriguing, including, in more recent years, the introduction of the day-night Test,” Hockley added.

India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 schedule:

November 22-26: 1st test, Perth Stadium, Perth (D)

December 6-10: 2nd test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)

December 14-18: 3rd test, The Gabba, Brisbane (D)

December 26-30: 4th test, MCG, Melbourne (D)

January 3-7: 5th Test, SCG, Sydney (D)

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