New Delhi: The India vs Australia rivalry has set a new benchmark during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. According to data released by Star Sports Network, the official broadcaster of the historic series, the first Test in Perth’s Optus Stadium engaged 70.8 million viewers and achieved 8.6 billion minutes of watch-time on television, which is a whopping 76 per cent more in terms of growth and 160 per cent more in terms of engagement in comparison to the first Test between the two sides in 2020.
Record-breaking viewership for Perth and Adelaide Tests
The data also reveals that the Perth Test became the highest-rated bilateral away Test match since the inception of BARC in 2015. Meanwhile, Day 1 of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval reached 29.5 million viewers – 21 per cent higher than the 2020 pink-ball Test at the iconic venue. According to the broadcaster, a whopping 1.87 billion minutes—44% higher than the 2020 edition – of watch-time was recorded.
The India-Australia rivalry is widely regarded as one of the toughest in Test cricket. Over the decades, both teams have engaged in several fiercely competitive and memorable contests.
India-Australia rivalry fuels exceptional engagement
The five-match Test series is evenly balanced at 1-1 as both teams gear up to face each other in the third Test at Gabba, Brisbane, starting December 14, Saturday. Besides fighting for the series, India and Australia are also locked in an intense battle for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The first Test of the series was played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, where India claimed a famous 295-run win despite being bowled out for 150 in the first innings. A fortnight later, Australia bounced back superbly to hammer the visitors by 10 wickets in the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval to level the series 1-1.
Following the Brisbane Test, the action will move to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26. The final Test of the series will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3.
Australia vs India: The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia has smashed several viewership records. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
