Australia v Bangladesh Tests: Darwin first Test on August 13 and how to watch in India

Australia and Bangladesh will begin a two-match Test series at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Thursday, August 13, a tie that forms part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The hosts open the series in Darwin before moving to Mackay for the second Test.

The series comprises two Tests, with the second game scheduled to start on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. This is the fourth Test series between the sides and their first such bilateral series since 2017; the teams first met in a Test series in 2003. It is the first time since 2003 that Bangladesh will play a Test match on Australian soil, and the touring squad is not the same group that visited under Khaled Mahmud.

Bangladesh arrive having shown improvement in recent Test assignments and on the back of a home whitewash of Pakistan, but the tour began poorly and the visitors face a difficult task in Australia. The source describes this as the visitors' biggest challenge in the format and notes that Bangladesh have not recorded a Test victory in Australia.

Australia sit atop the World Test Championship table with seven wins in 8 matches and a PCT of 87.50. The report states that winning this series would boost their chances in the WTC, and adds that Pat Cummins and Co. will look to do that; Australia have announced a full-strength side for the series.

Bangladesh’s preparation was unsettled by a heavy warm-up defeat to a Cricket Australia XI, losing by an innings and 368 runs after being bowled out for just 54 runs in the second innings. The report notes the comfortable margin of that warm-up loss as part of the visitors’ tour form.

Indian viewers can watch the Tests live on Star Sports Networks, which holds the broadcasting rights, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app for a nominal fee. The live telecast and streaming will be available on Star Sports Network and the JioHotstar app or website.

The opening Test starts on August 13 at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin and the second Test begins on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay; those fixtures will determine how both sides progress in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings.