Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting have hailed the record number of spectators during the five-match Test series between India and Australia and suggested the Border Gavaskar Trophy could overtake the Ashes as cricket’s biggest rivalry.
India’s decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended on Sunday. Australia won the five-Test series 3–1. 837,000 spectators reached the stadium to watch this series, which is a new record.
Former India coach Shastri said that there is no doubt that the rivalry between the two teams is extraordinary in the modern era. “One figure stands out: 375,000 people came through the gates for the Melbourne Test match, breaking the record of 350,000 set 90 years ago,” Shastri said in ‘The ICC Review.’ That was when Don Bradman used to play. This new figure has come amidst all the facilities of the present time which has set new standards.
Shastri said, “When there is television, when there is OTT platform. Even when all the facilities are available, for people to come out and watch cricket, 375,000 people coming (to Melbourne) and then repeating it in Sydney, it is beyond reality.” Former Australia captain Ponting praised Shastri. Supporting said that the number of 837,000 people coming to watch the Test in Australia is incredible.
“Now that this series is over, we will be keeping an eye on Australia’s tour of England next summer to see which series draws more viewers,” Ponting said. If the figures are not the same then there is no doubt that the (Border-Gavaskar) rivalry will be considered bigger. Certainly from the fans’ point of view.” Had it not been for an early finish or rain interruption in Brisbane, the crowd figure could have been even bigger.
Ponting said, “The Perth Test lasted only four days. The Adelaide and Sydney Tests lasted only three days. If all these Test matches had been played for five days, this figure would have been much bigger. Ponting said, “The fans are understanding how good both these cricket teams are, they want to be there and be a part of it and the Test matches. Want to see match cricket at its best. At the moment, it’s really hard to argue that it’s not the biggest rivalry in world cricket.
