The ABC says it remains hopeful of returning to call Test cricket in India this year after a nine-year hiatus.

Having regularly covered Tests in India in the 1990s and 2000s, the national broadcaster has not called a Test series in the country since Ricky Ponting's side lost 2-0 in a four-match series in 2008.

Australia have toured India for Tests twice since. In 2010 the ABC opted not to provide ball-by-ball commentary on a two-Test series, with the Commonwealth Games being held simultaneously in Delhi.

Then in 2013 it again decided against calling the Tests, put off by the price of rights requested by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.