IND vs AUS

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The Indian team is set to tour Australia twice in the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle from 2024-2032, with the number of Test matches per series increased from the existing four to five. As per reports, Cricket Australia have informed a set of domestic and international broadcasters that they have secured two full Test tours by each of India and England in the next FTP.

Reports say, “Cricket Australia (CA) has recently informed a range of broadcasters, both domestic and international, of the fact that it has secured two full Test tours by each of India and England over the next FTP, with India’s tours increased from four to five-match series.”

India has always tended to bring in big Australian crowds especially in recent years, with the last four-game series Down Under giving the CA a major boost with expected revenue of 300 million Australian dollars during financial struggles. 

“Seasons without Test-match visits by England or India generally mean a reduction in crowds and broadcast audiences – part of the reason why CA itself works on a multi-year financial model to balance fluctuations in the international schedule,” the report continued.

The current ICC FTP is scheduled for 2018 to 2023 and is set to end with the men's 50-over ICC World Cup, which will be played in India in October-November next year. The full for the next FTP is likely to be formally announced later this month, around the ICC's annual meeting in Birmingham on 25 and 26 July.

The injury-hit Indian team, led by Ajinkya Rahane, defied all odds to defeat a full-strength Australia side by three wickets at the Gabba to win the series 2-1 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Coach Ravi Shastri praised his team and said, "The boys have performed so well that I am lost for words."

"The character of this team is amazing, especially after the 36 all-out in Adelaide. This team wasn't built overnight. Virat has been with us despite not being here. His intensity rubbed on to everyone else. Rahane might look calm but he is a strong man from inside. A tough character”, the former India head coach added.