The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is a Test cricket series played between India and Australia, widely regarded as one of the two most-valued bilateral trophies in world cricket alongside The Ashes. Named after legendary former captains Allan Border (Australia) and Sunil Gavaskar (India), the trophy was inaugurated in 1996-97 and has since produced some of the most iconic moments in Test cricket history.

The series typically takes place twice every four years — once in Australia and once in India — and usually comprises four or five Test matches. India have historically dominated at home, winning 8 of the 9 BGT series held in India, while Australia have been formidable on their own turf. However, both teams have achieved memorable away victories: Australia’s 2004-05 triumph in India (dubbed “the final frontier” by Steve Waugh) and India’s historic 2018-19 and 2020-21 series wins in Australia.

The 2026-27 series is particularly significant as it represents the final series of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. With Australia holding the trophy after their 3-1 victory in 2024-25, India will be desperate to reclaim it on home soil. You can also follow India’s white-ball preparations via the India vs West Indies ODI series and the India vs Afghanistan T20I series ahead of this marquee Test assignment.

India Squad Context

Shubman Gill leads a transitional Indian Test side following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The batting will revolve around Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, with Rishabh Pant providing the X-factor behind the stumps. The spin department will be headlined by Ravindra Jadeja, while Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj and emerging quicks like Harshit Rana.

Australia Squad Context

Pat Cummins continues as one of the world’s premier Test captains. Australia’s batting core of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head remains formidable. The pace trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood is complemented by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, the leading wicket-taker in BGT history with 125 scalps. Cameron Green adds crucial all-round balance.

Australia won the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, reclaiming the trophy for the first time since 2014-15. It was the first five-Test series between the two nations since 1991-92.

India stunned Australia in the 1st Test at Perth, winning by 295 runs — India’s biggest victory in Australia by runs. Jasprit Bumrah took 8 wickets and was later named Player of the Series despite India losing the series. However, Australia bounced back strongly: winning the day-night 2nd Test at Adelaide by 10 wickets, drawing the rain-affected 3rd Test at Brisbane, and then sealing the series with victories at the MCG (by 184 runs) and Sydney (by 6 wickets).

The series was notable for Travis Head’s dominant batting (448 runs), Pat Cummins’ inspirational captaincy, and the emergence of teenage opener Sam Konstas. For India, it marked the final Test appearances of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2026-27 is the final series of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Both India and Australia will be fighting for crucial WTC points that could determine qualification for the WTC Final at Lord’s in June 2027.

Australia’s WTC 2025-27 cycle includes a packed schedule: 3 Tests in South Africa (Sep-Oct 2026), 4 Tests against New Zealand at home (Dec 2026-Jan 2027), the 5-Test India tour, 2 Tests against Bangladesh at home, and the Ashes in England (Jun-Aug 2027). India’s cycle includes 5 Tests in England (mid-2026), 2 Tests vs West Indies, 2 Tests vs South Africa, 2 Tests in Sri Lanka, 2 Tests in New Zealand, and this 5-Test Australia series.

With both teams likely to be in contention for the WTC Final, every Test in this series carries enormous significance beyond just the trophy itself.