History Created: 85,000+ Fans Set to Pack the Stadium for Perth Test

The Indian team will compete with Australia in five Test matches for the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On November 22, the first game will take place in Perth. Three years after their historic victory in the 2021 Test series, India is making a comeback to Australia. Australia is still atop the WTC standings with a PCT of 62.50 in 12 games. India, who has played 14 Test matches this cycle and recorded a PCT of 58.33, comes in second.

India needs to defeat Australia in the forthcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in order to remain in the running for the 2025 WTC final. India needs to defeat the Australians 4-0 in order to advance to the final. The first Test in Perth kicks off the intense Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Over 85,000 people are expected to attend the first three days of the opening Test at the Optus Stadium, breaking the venue's previous record of 81,104 for a Test match, which was set during its maiden Test in 2018 against India.

Despite the high attendance anticipated for the first Test match between Australia and India beginning on November 22, Cricket Australia (CA) has come under heavy fire from Mike McKenna, the head of Perth's Optus Stadium.

Record-Breaking Attendance at Perth Test:

PERTH OPTUS STADIUM IS EXPECTED A 85000 CROWD FOR 1ST TEST MATCH OF BGT. [ The Age ] pic.twitter.com/FxYCFYNw7z

— VIKAS YADAV (@VikasYadav66200) November 18, 2024

Significantly, the relationship between CA and the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) has been strained in recent years, especially during the pandemic when Perth was unable to host Test matches against India in the historic series in 2020–21 and England for the Ashes the following summer because of stringent state biosecurity regulations.

The dispute escalated when WA cricket fans strongly reacted negatively to CA's handling of Justin Langer's resignation as national coach in February 2022. A few days prior to the third ODI against Pakistan, CA's high-performing team pulled Test talents Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in order to prepare for the Tests, which infuriated supporters.

Five locals were included in the starting lineup and Josh Inglis, a West Australian, was named captain, but this was insufficient to advance more than 19,781 to the series final. The attendance was slightly over half of the 35,235 people who typically attended the Perth Scorchers' Big Bash League game at Optus Stadium the previous season.

The Perth Test series between India and Australia will begin on November 22 and end on January 7, 2025. The start times of the matches will vary based on the location. The second day and night match will begin at 9:30 a.m. IST, while the first Test will begin at 7:50 a.m. IST. The remaining two matches will begin at 5 AM (IST), while the third Test will begin at 5:50 AM (IST).

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