The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has lived up to its reputation as a cricketing spectacle, with the opening Test between India and Australia in Perth breaking numerous records. The action-packed match saw India bounce back from a first-innings collapse to secure a commanding 295-run victory, led by stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional eight-wicket haul.
Historic Attendance at Perth Stadium
The Test match at the Optus Stadium drew massive crowds, with Cricket Australia reporting record-breaking attendance numbers. Day 1 saw 31,302 fans, and Day 2 attracted 32,368 spectators, setting a new benchmark for Test cricket in Perth. The total attendance for the match reached 96,463, marking the second-highest ever recorded in Perth and the highest at the Optus Stadium.
Soaring Ticket Sales for the Series
The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has proven to be a crowd-puller, with ticket sales more than 2.5 times higher than during the 2018-19 India tour. Cricket Australia also confirmed that tickets for Day 1 of the upcoming Test at The Gabba in Brisbane are already sold out. Large turnouts are also expected in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney as the series progresses.
Viewership Records Shattered
The Perth Test dominated TV ratings in Australia, with over a million viewers tuning in for seven sessions over the first three days. The third session of Day 1 peaked with 1.6 million viewers nationally. Compared to last season’s Test against Pakistan in Perth, viewership increased by 30% across the first three days.
Digital Engagement Surges
Cricket Australia’s digital platforms also experienced record engagement during the match. Over 2.7 million people within Australia accessed cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app, while 8.4 million users engaged globally, showcasing the growing popularity of the series across platforms.
Pink-Ball Test in Adelaide Up Next
With momentum building, India and Australia will next face off in the highly anticipated pink-ball Test in Adelaide, starting December 6. As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues, fans can expect even more thrilling cricket and record-breaking moments.
