Border Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a Test cricket series between India and Australia.The two boards named the series after former captains Allan Border (Australia) and Sunil Gavaskar (India). It is part of the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme and follows a Test format. The trophy goes to the series winner. However, if there is a draw, the current holder retains it. Moreover, Given the rivalry and strong performances of both teams, it is one of the most prestigious series. India retained the trophy in March 2023 after winning 2-1 in that year’s series. Sachin Tendulkar is the top batsman, scoring 3262 runs in 65 innings. Furthermore, Nathan Lyon is the top bowler, taking 116 wickets in 26 matches.

Background

Early Unofficial Test Series

The first cricket matches between India and Australia were part of Australia’s 1935-36 tour of India. This tour featured four “unofficial Tests,” games that did not hold official Test status. However, The series ended in a draw, with both teams winning two matches each. Later, in 1945-46, the Australian Services team also toured India and played a series of three unofficial Tests. India won that series with one victory, while two matches ended in draws.

Test Series Not Contested for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

After India gained independence, its cricket team embarked on its first tour of Australia in the 1947–48 season.

This series included the first official Test matches between India and Australia. Australia won this five-match series, securing four victories, while one game ended in a draw. During this period, India and Australia’s encounters were irregular, with long gaps between tours and matches.

In recent years, in 2023, India and Australia met in the World Test Championship final. This match was the first Test since the 1991-92 season between the two teams not played under the Border-Gavaskar Trophy framework.

Test Encounters Without the Trophy

Here’s a breakdown of notable Test series and their results when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy did not play a role. In 1956-57, Australia toured India and won two of the three matches, with one draw. Three years later, in 1959-60, the teams played another five-match series in India, which Australia won with two victories. The 1964-65 series in India saw a more balanced outcome, with each team winning one match and also one draw.

In the 1967-68 season, Australia hosted and dominated with a clean sweep in four matches. India’s 1969-70 tour featured five matches, but Australia again emerged victorious with three wins. In 1977-78, Australia narrowly defeated India in a five-match series, winning three games. The 1979-80 series in India was more favourable to the host team, with two wins for India and also four drawn matches.

In 1980-81, the teams met in Australia, resulting in a series draw with one win each. The 1985-86 Australia series saw three matches, all ending in draws. In 1986-87, Australia toured India, where the teams drew two matches and also tied one. This was a rare occurrence in Test cricket. Finally, in 1991-92, Australia again won a five-match series at home, claiming four matches.

The 2023 World Test Championship final in England was a one-off Test between the two teams, which Australia won. In total, they have played 51 Test matches between India and Australia outside the Border-Gavaskar Trophy context. However, Australia has won 25 matches, India has won 8, and 17 games ended in draws.

List Of the Border-Gavaskar Test Series

Since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started, India and Australia have faced each other in many intense Test series. The first series was in 1996–97, hosted by India, and India won the one-off Test.

In 1997–98, India again hosted and won the three-match series 2-1, with Sachin Tendulkar as player of the series. Australia hosted the 1999–2000 series and won all three matches. India claimed victory in the 2000–01 series at home, with Harbhajan Singh as the star performer.

The 2003–04 series in Australia ended in a draw, but India retained the trophy. Australia won the 2004–05 series in India, marking their first series win in India after many years. Australia won the 2007–08 series 2-1, with Brett Lee excelling. India won the 2008–09 series at home 2-0, with Ishant Sharma named player of the series.

India dominated the 2010–11 series at home, winning both matches, with Sachin Tendulkar as the standout player. Australia swept the 2011–12 series 4-0 at home, with Michael Clarke earning the player of the series title. India responded in 2012–13, winning 4-0, and Ashwin was the star. The hosts won the 2014–15 series in Australia 2-0, and they named Steve Smith the Player of the Series.

India won the 2016–17 series at home 2-1, and Ravindra Jadeja was the standout. In 2018-19, India triumphed in Australia, winning 2-1, with Pujara as the series hero. The 2020–21 series saw India win in Australia again 2-1, with Pat Cummins as the best player despite Australia losing. India won the 2022–23 series at home 2-1, with Jadeja and Ashwin sharing the player of the series award.

Full List of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series:

The Border Gavaskar Series Context

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a top-level bilateral trophy in Test cricket, featuring India and Australia. Both teams have shown strong home dominance. Hence, teams earn the victories in the Border Gavaskar Trophy very hard.

India has won 8 out of 9 series played at home, showcasing their dominance. Australia has won 4 out of 7 series played at home, highlighting their strong performance. Notable away wins by Australia in 2004-05 and India in 2018-19 and 2020-21 are legendary.

Both teams have a similar number of Test and series wins, making the competition fierce. The trophy has frequently changed hands between the two competitive teams.

The series reflects intense competition, with India breaking Australia’s 16-Test winning streaks in 2000-01 and 2007-08. Australia’s captain, Steve Waugh, famously named the 2000-01 series the “final frontier.” This term captured the difficulty Australia faced in winning in India and also underlined its competitive nature.

Series Held In India

Series Held In Australia

1996-97 one-off test

The 1996–97 one-off Test was the first match under the Border–Gavaskar Trophy. It was also Sachin Tendulkar’s first series as captain. The match took place at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground in Delhi from October 10–14, 1996. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. However, Australia was bowled out for 182, with Michael Slater top-scoring with 44 runs. India’s bowlers, led by Anil Kumble, made an impact. India responded with 361, driven by Nayan Mongia’s career-best 152. Australia’s second inning saw Steve Waugh score 67, and they managed 234 runs. India needed 56 runs to win.

India chased the target successfully, winning by 7 wickets. Thus, Nayan Mongia was named Player of the Match.

1997-1998

The Australian cricket team visited India in February–March 1998, hoping to win their first series in India since 1969–70. The first Test in Chennai saw India winning by 179 runs. Sachin Tendulkar scored 155 runs from 191 balls, leading India to victory. Australia’s batsmen struggled against India’s spin trio of Anil Kumble, Venkatapathy Raju, and Rajesh Chauhan. They were bowled out for 168 runs.

In the second Test at Kolkata, Mohammad Azharuddin’s 163 runs in India’s only innings helped secure an innings win. India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2–0 lead.

The final Test at Bangalore saw Tendulkar score his second century of the series. Mark Waugh scored 153*, Australia’s first century of the series. Australia chased down 194 runs set by India, winning the match. The series ended 2–1 in favor of India. Shane Warne later stated that he would have nightmares of Tendulkar hitting sixes off him.

1999-2000 Series

The 1999–2000 Border–Gavaskar Trophy was expected to be won by Australia after their dominant 3–0 series win over Pakistan. In the first Test at Adelaide, Steve Waugh’s century and Damien Fleming’s five-wicket haul led Australia to a 285-run win. India was bowled out for 110 in the second innings, collapsing under pressure.

Australia won the second Test in Melbourne by 180 runs, despite a century from Sachin Tendulkar. This Test also marked the debut of Australian bowler Brett Lee, who later became a legend with 72 Test caps.

The final Test in Sydney saw another Australian win by an innings and 141 runs. Justin Langer scored 223 and Ricky Ponting made 141*. Australia scored 552 in their only innings. Despite a strong effort from V. V. S. Laxman, who scored 167, India was bowled out for 150. Glenn McGrath took 10 wickets in the match, dominating the Indian lineup.

2000-2001 Series

The 2000–01 Border–Gavaskar Trophy was a thrilling contest between India and Australia, played from February 27 to March 22, 2001. The series also consisted of three tests played in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. India won the series 2–1.

In the first Test, Australia dominated India from the start. India was dismissed for 176 while Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne led the charge.

Australia responded with 349, thanks to centuries from Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. Despite Harbhajan Singh’s 4-wicket haul, India was bowled out for 219 in their second innings. Australia won by 10 wickets, taking a 1–0 series lead.

The second Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata is also considered one of the most exciting matches in history. Australia posted 445, with Steve Waugh scoring 110. Harbhajan Singh took 7 wickets, including a historic hat-trick.

India, following on, was down but mounted a remarkable recovery. V.V.S. Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) batted throughout the day to take India to 657/7. Australia, needing 384, collapsed for 212, and India won by 171 runs to level the series 1-1.

In the third Test at Chennai, Australia batted first and scored 391, with Matthew Hayden’s 203. Harbhajan Singh took 7 wickets again, leading India to 501. Australia was dismissed for 264, with Harbhajan taking 8 wickets. India needed 155 runs to win but faced a tough chase. In a tense finish, Harbhajan and Sameer Dighe guided India to victory by 2 wickets, also winning the series 2-1.

Test Series Result

2004-2005 Series

First and Second Test

The 2003–04 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a thrilling four-match series played between India and Australia from November 2003 to February 2004. The series ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India had struggled in away Test matches but showed great resilience throughout the series.

The first Test, played in Brisbane, was affected by rain. Australia started well with Justin Langer scoring a century. Despite rain interruptions, India fought back with Sourav Ganguly (144) and VVS Laxman (75) leading India to 409. Australia declared on 284, setting India a target of 199 runs. However, the match was drawn after both teams agreed to stop play. Ganguly was named Man of the Match.

The second Test at Adelaide saw Australia post a huge total of 556, with Ricky Ponting scoring 242. India responded with a solid 523, led by Rahul Dravid’s brilliant 233 and VVS Laxman’s 148. Australia struggled in their second innings, and India needed 230 runs to win. Dravid (72*) led the charge as India won by four wickets, taking a 1–0 lead.

Third and Fourth Test

In the third Test at Melbourne, India posted 366, with Virender Sehwag scoring 195. Australia then responded with 558, including Ponting’s second double century of the series. India fell short in their second inning, setting Australia a target of just 95 runs. Australia won the match by 9 wickets, levelling the series at 1-1.

The fourth and final Test at Sydney was special as it marked Steve Waugh’s last Test. India batted first and scored 705/7 with Sachin Tendulkar’s magnificent 241*. Australia fought back with 474, thanks to strong contributions from Hayden, Langer, and Katich. India set a target of 443 in their second innings, but Australia played out a draw, leaving the series tied 1-1. Tendulkar was named Man of the Match for his performances in both innings.

Rahul Dravid was named Man of the Series for his 619 runs, making this one of the best series in Australian cricket history.

Test Series Result

2004-2005

First and Second Test

The Australian cricket team toured India from 6 October 2004 to 5 November 2004 for a four-Test series. Australia won the series 2–1, breaking a 35-year drought in India. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were on their last tour of India, and they aimed to win. India had recently struggled in tours of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy.

Australia won the first Test in Bangalore with ease. India’s batting collapsed twice, giving Australia a dominant win. Michael Clarke, playing his first-ever Test, scored a century (151), putting Australia in control. Harbhajan Singh took 10 wickets in the match, and Anil Kumble took his 400th Test wicket. Clarke earned the title of Player of the Match for his performance.

India fought back in the second Test in Chennai. They bowled Australia out for just 235 runs. Anil Kumble’s brilliant 7-wicket haul helped India take a 141-run lead. India scored 376, with Virender Sehwag making 155. Shane Warne took 6 wickets, becoming the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. India needed 229 runs to win in the final inning, but rain prevented play, and the match ended in a draw. The selectors named Anil Kumble the Player of the Match.

Third and Fourth Test

Australia won the third Test at Nagpur, securing the series. Australia made 398 runs in their first inning. Damien Martyn contributed with 114 runs, while Michael Clarke made 91 runs. India collapsed for just 185 runs in reply, with Mohammed Kaif the only top-order batsman to score over 50 runs. Australia declared their second inning, setting a target of 500+. India scored 200 runs before they got bowled out, and Australia claimed a victory by 342 runs. Martyn was named Man of the Match.

The final Test in Mumbai saw India win after Australia had already secured the series. Thus, India made several changes to their lineup. Rain washed out much of the first day. On the second day, the Aussie bowlers bowled India out for 104, with Rahul Dravid top-scoring with 31. The Indian bowlers also bowled Australia out for 203 in their first inning, which wasn’t much better. Murali Kartik and Kumble took most of the wickets. India also made 205 runs in their second inning, with V.V.S. Laxman scoring 69. Australia needed to chase down 107. The Indian bowlers bowled them out for just 93 runs. India won by 13 runs, with Harbhajan Singh taking 5 wickets. Murali Kartik was named Man of the Match.

Damien Martyn was named Man of the Series for his consistent performances throughout the series.

2007-2008 Series

The First and Second Test

The Indian cricket team toured Australia from December 2007 to March 2008 for a four-Test series. Australia won the series 2-1, with the final result decided in Adelaide. This tour marked Sourav Ganguly’s last visit to Australia before retiring. The two teams played the series across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide. It started on 26 December 2007 and ended on 28 January 2008.

Australia won the first Test in Melbourne by 337 runs. Australia scored 343 runs in the first innings, led by Matthew Hayden’s 124 runs. India responded with 196 runs, with Clark and Lee each taking 4 wickets. Australia set India a target of 499 runs, which they never came close to challenging.

In the second Test in Sydney, Australia won by 122 runs. On the final day, Michael Clarke took 3 wickets in just nine minutes. India fell short, and Australia secured the victory after a gripping final session.

The Third and Fourth Test

India fought back in the third Test in Perth, winning by 72 runs. India made two changes, bringing back Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan. Australia made similar changes, bringing in Chris Rogers and Shaun Tait. India batted first, and Sehwag scored 43 runs, giving India momentum. In their second innings, Laxman’s 79 and Pathan’s 46 were crucial, setting Australia a target of 413 runs.

The Indian bowlers bowled Australia out for 340. India ended Australia’s 16-match winning streak by winning the game by 72 runs. Pathan’s two wickets at the start were vital. After this win, the final match in Adelaide became significant for the spectators.

In the fourth and final Test in Adelaide, India again won the toss and batted first. India made one change, bringing back Harbhajan Singh in place of Wasim Jaffer. Australia also made two changes, with Hayden returning and Tait replaced by Brad Hogg.

India managed 309/5 on day one, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten century (124). However, India reached 500 runs with contributions from Kumble and Harbhajan. Australia replied cautiously and reached 62/0 by the end of day two. On day three, Australia’s openers made a 159-run partnership, and they reached 563 runs.

India lost Pathan early in the second innings, but Sehwag’s 151 ensured India didn’t lose the Test. Kumble declared at 269/7, and the match ended as a draw. The selectors named Sachin Tendulkar the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.

Test Series in a Brief

2008-2009 Series

The 2008–09 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a series of four Test matches between India and Australia, held from September 27 to November 10, 2008. India won the series 2-0, with Ishant Sharma named Player of the Series.

In the second Test at Mohali, Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to score 12,000 runs in Test cricket while surpassing Brian Lara’s record. India won the match by 320 runs, also their biggest win over Australia in terms of runs. In the third Test in Delhi, Gautam Gambhir and V.V.S. Laxman became the first Indian players to score double centuries in the same match. This series also marked the final Tests for Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly.

Before the tour, there were security concerns due to the 2008 Delhi bomb blasts. Cricket Australia initially hesitated, but after assessing the situation, the tour went ahead.

Series Summary:

• India’s Top Performers:
  • Gautam Gambhir (463 runs)
  • Ishant Sharma (15 wickets)
• Australia’s Top Performers:
  • Michael Hussey (394 runs)
  • Mitchell Johnson (13 wickets)

Key Events:

• 1st Test (Bangalore): A rain-affected match ended in a draw. Zaheer Khan took five wickets, and India scored 360 in reply to Australia’s 430.
• 2nd Test (Mohali): India won by 320 runs. Ganguly scored a century, and Amit Mishra took five wickets.
• 3rd Test (Delhi): India scored 613/7, with Gambhir’s 206. Australia managed 577 runs. The match ended in a draw.
• 4th Test (Nagpur): India won by 172 runs. Tendulkar scored 109, and Harbhajan Singh took four wickets in the second innings. This match also saw the debut of Jason Krejza.

This series was significant for both teams, with India’s strong performances and memorable records, including Tendulkar’s achievement and the retirements of Kumble and Ganguly.

Full List of Key Events

2010-2011 Series

The Australian cricket team toured India between October 1 and October 24, 2010. They played three one-day internationals (ODIs) and two test matches. India won the two-match Test series 2–0. In the Test series, Sachin Tendulkar scored 403 runs, while Shane Watson scored 271 runs for Australia. Zaheer Khan took 12 wickets while Mitchell Johnson was the leading wicket-taker for Australia with 8 wickets. Tendulkar was named Player of the Series for his impressive performance.

In the ODI series, India won 1–0, with the first match abandoned without a ball being bowled. Virat Kohli scored 118 runs, while Michael Clarke made 111 runs. Ashish Nehra also took 2 wickets, and Clint McKay was Australia’s best bowler with 3 wickets. However, Virat Kohli was named Player of the Series in the ODIs.

Test Series

In the first Test at Mohali, India achieved a thrilling one-wicket victory. Australia scored 428 runs, with Shane Watson’s 126 leading the way. Zaheer Khan’s five-wicket haul helped India limit Australia to 192 runs in their second innings. India needed 216 runs to win and made a dramatic recovery. VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma’s 81-run partnership for the ninth wicket brought India close to the target. Ojha and Laxman then completed the chase for a historic win.

The second Test, held in Bangalore, also saw India win by 7 wickets. Australia scored 478 runs, with Marcus North contributing 128 runs. However, in reply, India scored 495, led by a brilliant 214 from Sachin Tendulkar. Australia’s second inning ended at 223 runs, setting India a target of 207. India chased it down comfortably, with Tendulkar’s superb performance earning him Player of the Match honours.

Here’s the Test Series in Brief:

2011-2012 Series

Australia won the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by 122 runs, completing the match in four days. Australia scored 333 in their first inning, with Ed Cowan top-scoring with 68 runs. India responded with a collapse, going from 3/214 to 282 all out. Ben Hilfenhaus took five wickets in his return.

Australia recovered from 4/27 in their second innings, thanks to Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. They scored 240 runs, setting India a target of 292. India was all out for 169, and Australia won the match. James Pattinson was named Man of the Match.

The second Test began with India collapsing for just 191 after winning the toss at the SCG. Australia replied with 659/4, led by Michael Clarke’s triple century (329*), Ricky Ponting (134), and Michael Hussey (150*). India could not recover and was bowled out for 293. trailing by 68 runs. Australia won the match, with Michael Clarke’s batting performance leading the way.

The third Test saw India bat first, but they only managed 161 in their first innings. Australia responded with 369 runs, including a fast century (69 balls) by David Warner. In India’s second inning, they were dismissed for just 171, and Australia won by an innings and 37 runs. Australia led the series 3–0 and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The fourth Test began with Australia posting a huge score of 7/604 declared. Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting both scored double centuries. However, India could only manage 272 in response, with Virat Kohli making his maiden Test century.

Australia declared again at 5/167, setting India a target of 500. India was bowled out for 201, falling short by 298 runs. Peter Siddle was named Player of the Match, and Michael Clarke won Player of the Series.

Test Series Result

2012-2013 Series

First and Second Test

In the first match of the series, Australia won the toss and scored 380 in their first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin bowled brilliantly and took control to restrict Australia after a strong start. India’s innings began shakily, losing two early wickets. However, Sachin Tendulkar and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the innings, taking the score past 100. India lost Pujara, but Virat Kohli scored a brilliant century and remained not out. MS Dhoni then scored 224 runs, providing India with a strong lead. Australia was bowled out for 241 in their second innings. Moises Henriques scored 81*, taking the score to 241. India successfully chased the target of 50 with two wickets down and won. M.S. Dhoni was named Man of the Match for his 224 runs.

In the second Test, Australia collapsed, and captain Michael Clarke made a surprising declaration at 237/9. India started their innings with a 5–0 score after three overs. After losing Sehwag, Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara put up a huge partnership. Pujara scored 204 runs, while Vijay made 167 runs. Australia’s second innings collapsed for just 131 runs. India won the match by an innings and 135 runs, leading the series 2–0. Cheteshwar Pujara was named Man of the Match for his 204 runs.

Third and Fourth Test

In the third Test, rain washed away the first day, but Australia scored over 400 runs. Ed Cowan, David Warner, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc made good contributions. Starc fell for 99, while Smith scored 92. Shikhar Dhawan, a debutant, scored a record-breaking 187 runs, the highest on debut for India. Murali Vijay scored consecutive centuries, and India finished with 499. Australia was bowled out for 223, leaving India with a target of 133. With wickets falling quickly, India won the match. Shikhar Dhawan was named Man of the Match for his record-breaking performance.

In the fourth Test, Australia scored 262 runs, but India’s total was 272, giving them a slight lead. The match had intense sledging, especially on day two.

Australia collapsed on day three, and Peter Siddle made fifties in both innings. India’s target was 155, Thus, India reached it with wickets falling regularly.

Kohli scored 41 while Dhoni remained not out at 12, and Pujara stayed not out at 82. Dhoni hit the winning runs, and India created history.

They won all four tests in the series. Ravindra Jadeja was named Man of the Match for his 5–58. Moreover, Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded Man of the Series for his 29 wickets.

2014-2015 Series

In the first match of the series, Australia won the toss and batted first, scoring 517/7d. It was also Virat Kohli’s debut as a Test captain. Australia’s batting was explosive, with David Warner scoring 145 runs from just 163 balls.

Steve Smith also played an unbeaten knock of 162 runs. Day 2 was lost to rain, and hence the match resumed on Day 3. India managed to score 444 in their first inning, conceding a 73-run lead.

Virat Kohli scored brilliant 115 runs. Australia then declared their second inning at 290/5, with Warner making another century.

India were set a target of 364, but were bowled out for 315. Despite another ton from Kohli, Australia won by 48 runs. Nathan Lyon was named Man of the Match for his 12-wicket haul.

The second Test also ended with an Australian win, giving them a 2–0 series lead. The final two Tests were drawn, meaning Australia won the series 2–0 and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The first Test was held as a tribute to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes. Players wore black bands with “408” written on them, Hughes’ cap number.

He tragically died after being struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game, while in peak form. Hughes had been widely regarded as a long-term representative of Australian Test cricket.

2016-2017 Series

The 2016–17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a thrilling four-match Test series between India and Australia. India won the series 2–1, securing the title and holding all Test series trophies. The series was played between February and March 2017. The series saw intense competition, with both teams showing exceptional performances. India continued their dominance in Test cricket with this hard-fought victory over Australia.

Teams and Captains:

The captains for the series were Steve Smith for Australia and Virat Kohli for India. Kohli led India with confidence while Smith captained Australia. Both teams had strong squads, featuring prominent players. Australia’s squad included players like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, and also Nathan Lyon. India’s lineup had stars such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Injury Updates:

During the series, both teams faced injury challenges. Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the series due to a shoulder injury. Hardik Pandya missed the last two matches with a shoulder issue as well. Mitchell Starc was injured and replaced by Pat Cummins for the final two Tests. Shreyas Iyer was added to India’s squad as a backup for Kohli’s shoulder injury.

First Test: Australia’s Victory:

In the first Test in Pune, Australia dominated. They batted first and scored 517/7d. David Warner’s 145 runs and Steve Smith’s 162 runs helped Australia post a massive total. However, India struggled in their first inning, bowling out for just 260 runs. Australia’s Steve O’Keefe took 6 wickets in India’s first innings. He followed this with another 6-wicket haul to bowl India out for just 107 in the second innings. Steve O’Keefe was named the Player of the Match with Australia winning the game by 333 runs.

Second Test: India’s Comeback:

The second Test in Bangalore saw a thrilling match, with India emerging victorious. India scored 276 runs in their first inning, with KL Rahul contributing a brilliant 90 runs. Nathan Lyon’s 8 wickets weren’t enough to stop India. However, in response, Australia managed only 189 runs, giving India a solid chance. India’s Ravindra Jadeja took 6 wickets in Australia’s innings. India won the match by 75 runs. KL Rahul’s brilliant knock earned him the Player of the Match.

Third Test: A High-Scoring Draw:

The third test in Ranchi was an intense, high-scoring draw. Australia posted 451 runs in their first inning, with Steve Smith making 178*. India responded with a massive 603/9d, thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara’s 202. Pat Cummins took 4 wickets for Australia, but India dominated. The match ended in a draw, but Pujara’s brilliant innings earned him the Player of the Match award. Both teams showed excellent resilience in this drawn encounter.

Fourth Test: India Seals the Series:

In the fourth Test at Dharamshala, India clinched the series win. Australia posted 300 runs in their first inning, with Steve Smith contributing 111. However, India chased down the target with confidence, winning by 8 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round performance helped India secure the win. Jadeja took 3 wickets in Australia’s second inning and scored 63 runs. This was also the first Test at the Dharamshala venue, and it ended in India’s victory.

Controversy Over DRS Usage:

In the second test, a controversy arose regarding the Decision Review System (DRS). Australia’s Steve Smith was caught looking at the dressing room for guidance during an LBW decision. This led to accusations from India’s Virat Kohli, who claimed it happened multiple times. The incident sparked a debate with both captains addressing it publicly. The International Cricket Council (ICC) decided not to press charges, but the incident created significant tension.

2018-2019 Series

Australia’s Missing Stars:

Heading into the 2018–19 series, Australia was missing key players—David Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft. This was due to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town against South Africa. Ishant Sharma remarked that this was India’s best opportunity to win the series in Australia.

First Test – India Wins by 31 Runs:

The first Test in Adelaide saw Cheteshwar Pujara score 123 and 71, setting Australia a target of 322 runs. Despite a brave effort from Australia’s tail-enders on day five, India won by 31 runs. This was India’s first Test win in Australia since 2008.

Second Test – Australia Wins by 146 Runs:

The second Test in Perth saw Australia level the series at 1-1 with a 146-run victory. Nathan Lyon took 8 wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match. Virat Kohli scored his 25th Test century, but India collapsed in the second innings, managing just 140 runs.

Third Test – India Wins by 137 Runs:

In the third Test at Melbourne, Pujara scored his second century of the series, making 106 runs. India declared their first innings at 443/7, and the Indian bowlers dismissed Australia for 151 and 261. Jasprit Bumrah took 6 wickets in the first innings and 3 in the second. India won by 137 runs and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Fourth Test – Match Drawn:

The fourth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground ended in a draw due to bad weather. India posted 622/7d, with Pujara scoring 193 runs and Rishabh Pant making 159. India bowled Australia out for 300, forcing them to follow on for the first time since 1988. Rain washed out the match, and India won the series 2–1.

Player of the Series – Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara was named the Player of the Series after scoring 521 runs, including three centuries.

2020-2021 Series

India entered the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy holding the trophy after winning in Australia in 2018–19 and at home in 2017. The last time Australia had won a series was in 2014–15, when they won 2–0 at home.

First Test – Adelaide:

The first Test in Adelaide was a day-night match, where India won the toss and chose to bat. India scored 244 in their first innings, and Virat Kohli contributed 74 runs before a run out ended his innings. Australia responded with 191, giving India a 53-run lead. In their second innings, India’s batting lineup collapsed, resulting in a dismissal for just 36, their lowest total in Test cricket. Australia successfully chased the 90-run target in 21 overs to win by 8 wickets. Tim Paine earned the Player of the Match.

Second Test – Melbourne:

The Boxing Day Test in Melbourne saw India’s vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane, lead the team in Kohli’s absence. Australia chose to bat first and were bowled out for 195. India then took a 131-run lead after Rahane’s century, scoring 326. In the second innings, Australia were dismissed for 200, leaving India a target of 70 runs. India achieved the target, winning by 8 wickets. Rahane earned Player of the Match and also won the Mullagh Medal.

Third Test – Sydney:

The third Test at Sydney started with Australia posting a first-innings total of 338, with Steve Smith scoring a century. India were bowled out for 244, trailing by 94 runs. Australia declared their second innings at 6/312, setting India a challenging target of 407. Despite solid contributions from Rishabh Pant (97) and Cheteshwar Pujara (77), India fought hard and ended their innings at 5/334. The match was drawn after Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari batted for 289 balls. Steve Smith earned Man of the Match.

Fourth Test – Brisbane:

The deciding fourth Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, was a historic match. India faced numerous injuries, with only two of the original players from the first Test remaining. Australia batted first and scored 369, with Marnus Labuschagne making a century. India responded with 336, trailing by 33 runs. Australia were bowled out for 294 in their second inning, setting India a target of 328 runs. India chased down the target with three overs to spare while winning by 3 wickets. This was Australia’s first loss at The Gabba since 1988. Rishabh Pant earned the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 89*. However, Pat Cummins was named Player of the Series. The ICC regarded this series as the Ultimate Test series of all time.

2022-2023 Series

The two boards postponed the four-match series, which they had initially scheduled for October-November 2022, due to the T20 World Cup. They later played it in February 2023.

First Test—Nagpur:

The first test began on 9 February 2023 in Nagpur. Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat. Australia bowled out for just 177 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja claiming 5 wickets. India responded with a massive 400 runs, taking a lead of 223 runs. On debut, Todd Murphy took 7 wickets in India’s first innings. However, the Indian bowlers dismissed Australia for just 91 runs in the second innings. India won by an innings and 132 runs, and they named Ravindra Jadeja Player of the Match.

Second Test – Delhi:

The second test started on 13 February 2023 in Delhi. Australia won the toss and batted first, scoring 263 runs.

However, India responded with 262, trailing by just one run. Australia managed only 113 runs in their second innings, with Ravindra Jadeja taking 7 wickets for 42 runs. Soon, India chased down the target of 114 with 6 wickets in hand, winning the match. Ravindra Jadeja again received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding bowling performance.

Third Test—Indore:

The third Test took place on 28 February 2023 at Indore. With Pat Cummins absent, Steve Smith captained Australia.

Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. The Aussie bowlers managed to bowl India out for 109 runs. Matthew Kuhnemann claimed 5 wickets.

However, Australia scored 197 runs, with Usman Khawaja making 60 runs. India took a lead of 88 runs with 163 in their second inning. The selectors awarded Nathan Lyon the Player of the Match for his 8 wickets. Australia successfully chased the target of 76 with just one wicket lost, also winning the match.

Fourth Test—Ahmedabad:

The fourth and final Test began on 9 March 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese were also present for the “75 Years of Friendship Through Cricket” event.

Australia won the toss, and Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green made 180 and 114 runs, respectively, helping Australia score 480 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin took 6 wickets for India.

In reply, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli also made 128 and 186 runs, respectively, as India scored 571 runs. Australia batted for only 6 overs in their second inning on Day 4.

On Day 5, Travis Head (90) and Marnus Labuschagne (63*) helped Australia reach 175/2 before the match ended in a draw. India won the series 2-1 and also retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Virat Kohli received the Player of the Match award, while the selectors jointly awarded Ashwin and Jadeja the Player of the Series for their brilliant performances.

Match Venues

Australia:

1. Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
2. Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane
3. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
4. Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
5. Perth Stadium, Perth
6. WACA Stadium, Perth

India:

1. Eden Gardens, Kolkata
2. Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
3. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
4. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
5. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
6. Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
7. Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
8. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
9. Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
10. JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
11. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala
12. Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
13. Holkar Stadium, Indore

Media Coverage

Matches played in Australia:

• Broadcasted by Fox Sports, Seven Network, and ABC Radio in Australia.
• The Sony Pictures Sports Networks and All India Radio used to initially broadcast the series.
• Later on, the Star Sports Network also emerged as a broadcast agent.

Matches played in India:

• Broadcasted by Star Sports, DD National, and All India Radio in India.
• Fox Sports and ABC Radio broadcast the series in Australia.