Introduction
The India vs Australia Test rivalry is one of the fiercest and most competitive battles in cricket history. Known for high intensity, iconic performances, and unforgettable moments, these contests have shaped the very essence of modern Test cricket.
India vs Australia Test Head-to-Head Overview
| Category | Matches | India Won | Australia Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 107 | 33 | 47 | 27 |
India vs Australia Test Series Records
| Venue | Series Played | India Won | Australia Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In India | 14 | 11 | 4 | – |
| In Australia | 13 | 5 | 8 | – |
India vs Australia Test Statistics Table
| Category | India | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Score | 705/7d (2004) | 674/6d (1948) |
| Lowest Score | 36 (2020) | 93 (1981) |
| Most Runs in Rivalry | Sachin Tendulkar (3,262) | Ricky Ponting (2,555) |
| Most Wickets in Rivalry | Anil Kumble (111) | Nathan Lyon (125) |
Memorable Test Matches Between India and Australia
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2001 Eden Gardens Test (Kolkata): India won after following on, thanks to VVS Laxman’s 281 and Dravid’s 180.
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2003 Adelaide Test: Rahul Dravid’s heroic double century gave India a historic win.
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2021 Gabba Test: India breached Australia’s fortress after 32 years with Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting.
Border–Gavaskar Trophy
The Border–Gavaskar Trophy, named after Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar, has been the official prize for India-Australia Test contests since 1996. India has dominated this trophy since 2001.
| Period | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1996–97 | India |
| 2000 | Australia |
| 2001 | India |
| 2004 | Australia |
| 2008 | India |
| 2010 | India |
| 2012 | Australia |
| 2013 | India |
| 2014–15 | Australia |
| 2017 | India |
| 2018–19 | India |
| 2020–21 | India |
| 2023 | India |
India vs Australia Records in India
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India has dominated home series since 2001.
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Spin legends like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and R Ashwin have destroyed Australia in Indian conditions.
India vs Australia Records in Australia
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India achieved its first Test series win in Australia in 2018–19 under Virat Kohli.
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They repeated the feat in 2020–21, even after the infamous 36 all-out in Adelaide.
Top Indian Performers Against Australia
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Sunil Gavaskar: First Indian to dominate Australian fast bowlers.
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Sachin Tendulkar: Scored 3,262 runs against them.
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Virat Kohli: Century machine in Australia.
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Rishabh Pant: Match-winner in the 2021 Gabba Test.
Top Australian Performers Against India
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Ricky Ponting: 2,555 runs against India.
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Steve Smith: Modern-day giant with an average of 65+ vs India.
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Shane Warne: Took 95 wickets in the rivalry.
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Pat Cummins: Key bowler in recent years.
Statistical Leaders
| Category | Player | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Most Runs | Sachin Tendulkar | 3,262 |
| Most Centuries | Sachin Tendulkar | 11 |
| Most Wickets | Nathan Lyon | 125 |
| Best Bowling Figures | Kapil Dev | 8/106 |
India vs Australia Test Records Table
| Format | India Highest Score | Australia Highest Score | India Lowest Score | Australia Lowest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 705/7d (2004) | 674/6d (1948) | 36 (2020) | 93 (1981) |
ICC World Test Championship Clashes
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2021 Final: New Zealand defeated India, Australia didn’t qualify.
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2023 Final: Australia beat India at The Oval to win the WTC mace.
Future of India vs Australia Test Rivalry
With the World Test Championship cycles and regular Border–Gavaskar Trophies, fans can expect this rivalry to remain the most thrilling in modern cricket.
Conclusion
India vs Australia in Test cricket is more than just a game—it’s a battle of pride, skill, and resilience. From legendary innings to unforgettable bowling spells, this rivalry has given cricket some of its greatest moments. With both teams at the top of world cricket, the future promises even more intense battles.
FAQs
Q1: How many Test matches have India and Australia played against each other?
They have played 107 Tests so far.
Q2: Who has won more Test matches between India and Australia?
Australia leads overall with 47 wins, while India has 33 wins.
Q3: When did India first win a Test series in Australia?
India won their first Test series in Australia in 2018–19.
Q4: Who scored the most runs in India vs Australia Test matches?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 3,262 runs.
Q5: Which was India’s lowest Test score against Australia?
India was bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide (2020).