14 September,2026 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Debasish Datta
Sunil Gavaskar. Pic/Atul Kamble
India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has been invited to attend the 150th year of Test cricket celebrations at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2027.
The former India captain, the first man to score 10,000 plus runs, has accepted the invitation and will attend the celebrations that will include a March 11-15 Test match between Australia and England just like what happened in 1977 to mark 100 years of Test cricket. The game is expected to be played with the pink ball.
The 1977 event saw the attendance of former England and Australia players, all contributing to thorough celebration of cricket - all 218 visitors housed at the Melbourne Hilton. The idea of the Centenary Test was mooted in 1973 by Hans Ebeling, who played one Test for Australia in 1934 before becoming an administrator.
Australia ended up winning the Test by 45 runs, the same victory margin as the hosts did on Test cricket's âdebut' in 1877.
Gavaskar will leave for Australia after finishing his commentary duties post the five-Test India vs Australia series, fought this time in India for the 18th edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Gavaskar, 77, made three Test tours to Australia as a player in 1977-78, 1980-81 (as captain), and 1985-86. He was also part of the Cricket Australia-appointed selection panel to pick Australia's Team of the Century in 2000.
According to the Cricket Australia (CA) website, the Test promises "world-class entertainment and an atmosphere alive with energy" and it will be "an unforgettable event on the world's grandest cricket stage."
