India are set to host Australia for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series next year, with Ranchi scheduled to stage the fourth Test. However, reports of a possible venue change have been dismissed by Saurabh Tiwary, secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). The upcoming Test assignments will be extremely important for Shubman Gill and his team as they look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
India will first travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series before welcoming Australia for the five-match BGT at home. The team will be aiming for a strong run after suffering a 4-1 defeat in the previous BGT series in Australia. Recent reports suggested that India’s team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, had raised concerns about Ranchi hosting a Test during January or February. The BCCI was reportedly exploring alternative venues, with Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Rajkot mentioned as possible replacements.
The primary concern was reportedly Ranchi’s early winter sunsets, which could limit available daylight and make it challenging for teams to complete the mandatory 90 overs in a day. Despite the speculation, Ranchi remains scheduled to host the fourth Test from February 19 to 23, 2027.
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Tiwary, however, has categorically denied that JSCA has requested a change of venue. He stated that any official communication regarding such a matter would have to come from him, and no letter has been sent to the BCCI seeking a change.
“There is no change in the venue. If anybody has to write to the BCCI about it, it should be me and I have not written it,” Tiwary told the media. India have seven Tests remaining in the current WTC cycle. Their next assignment will be a two-Test tour of New Zealand, with the first match scheduled in Wellington from November 19 to 23 and the second in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
🚨 CHANGE IN VENUE IN BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY ⏳
– Due to early sunset in Ranchi, team management requested BCCI for this change, BGT Test might be shifted from Ranchi. [Abhishek Tripathi]
Hyderabad, Rajkot or Vishakapatnam likely to host the match. pic.twitter.com/YKvbIXj08D
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 18, 2026
The focus will then shift to the five-Test BGT 2027 series against Australia. The opening Test is scheduled in Nagpur from January 21 to 25, followed by the second Test in Chennai from January 29 to February 2.
The third Test will be played in Guwahati from February 11 to 15, before the action moves to Ranchi for the fourth match from February 19 to 23. The series will conclude with the fifth Test in Ahmedabad from February 27 to March 3.
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India recently featured in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka. While the first Test in Galle ended in a 165-run victory for India, the second match in Colombo was drawn.
With seven Tests still remaining, India’s results against New Zealand and Australia will play a significant role in shaping their WTC 2025-27 campaign. The upcoming home series against Australia will therefore carry added importance as India chase a strong finish in the championship cycle.
