Follow UsIndia are set to tour Australia for a five-match Test series in 2024 as part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP), according to a report by Cricbuzz. Australia's scheduled tour of India in February-March in 2023 will be a four-Test affair.
"It is believed the four Tests were worth $400m to Cricket Australia in the most recent broadcast deal - which was part of the reason the thought of the visitors going home midway through the 2020-21 season was so alarming. An extra Test match against India ever four years will add significantly to broadcast revenues," The Australian reported recently.
India's tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has gained significant interest among fans following their series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. The latter brought much more importance to Test cricket as they came back from losing the first match in Adelaide to clinch the series 2-1 at the Gabba with a depleted team.
The next cycle for World Test Championship will begin after the final in June 2023 which is set to be tabled for the approval by the International Cricket Council at its annual conference in Birmingham.
"I think it's a great initiative as it's the closest contest to an Ashes series for the Australian team," former Australia captain Steve Waugh told Cricbuzz.
The series against Australia is set to be crucial for India as they aim to reach a second WTC final in a row.
Before their four Tests in India, Australia are also set to play three ODIs and three T20Is in September-October this year for which the official schedule has not been confirmed.