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2nd test, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Match Analysis and Key Performances

Australia delivered a fantastic performance under tremendous pressure to come back and draw the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 level 1-1.

India won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the tourists got off to the worst possible start as Mitchell Starc trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal LBW on the first ball. And, that set the tone for the match. The left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was at his best and took a 6-wicket haul to dismiss India for just 180.

In reply, Australia’s Travis Head lit up Adelaide with an explosive 140, and vital contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney ensured India had no chance in the match. After a 157-run lead, India succumbed under pressure in the second innings with not much resistance from any batter and eventually conceded a 10-wicket loss.

Australia is now the new No.1 in the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table while India has dropped to No.3.

Match Summary and Key Performances

Australia 337 (Head 140, Labuschagne 64, Bumrah 4-61, Siraj 4-98) and 19 for 0 beat India 180 (Reddy 42, Starc 6-48, Cummins 2-41) and 175 (Reddy 42, Pant 28, Cummins 5-57, Boland 3-51) by ten wickets

From India’s point of view, the batting was dismal. Other than youngster Nitish Reddy, no other batsman looked in good touch. India would like their experienced batters to lead from the front in the next test match. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah was a standout bowler for the tourists and was well-supported by Mohd Siraj. However, there is still a lot of work to do in the bowling department for the side ahead of the third test.

For Australia, the fast bowling trio – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland – was on the money and made life difficult for Indian batters throughout the Adelaide test. On the batting front, Travis Head was at his explosive best while Marnus Labuschange and Nathan McSweeney played a good supporting hand.

Australia Test Record in Day-night Tests

Test Matches: 13

Wins: 12

Loss: 1

Australia has won each of the eight day-night Test matches at Adelaide Oval.

India’s Test Record in 2024

Result	Margin	Toss	Bat	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
Won	7 wickets	Lost	2nd	South Africa	Cape Town	3 Jan 2024
Lost	28 runs	Lost	2nd	England	Hyderabad	25 Jan 2024
Won	106 runs	Won	1st	England	Visakhapatnam	2 Feb 2024
Won	434 runs	Won	1st	England	Rajkot	15 Feb 2024
Won	5 wickets	Lost	2nd	England	Ranchi	23 Feb 2024
Won	Inns & 64 runs	Lost	2nd	England	Dharamsala	7 Mar 2024
Won	280 runs	Lost	1st	Bangladesh	Chennai	19 Sep 2024
Won	7 wickets	Won	2nd	Bangladesh	Kanpur	27 Sep 2024
Lost	8 wickets	Won	1st	New Zealand	Bengaluru	16 Oct 2024
Lost	113 runs	Lost	2nd	New Zealand	Pune	24 Oct 2024
Lost	25 runs	Lost	2nd	New Zealand	Wankhede	1 Nov 2024
Won	295 runs	Won	1st	Australia	Perth	22 Nov 2024
Lost	10 wickets	Won	1st	Australia	Adelaide	6 Dec 2024

Most consecutive losses in Test Cricket for an Indian captain

Test Matches	Captain	Year
6	MAK Pataudi	1967-68
5	Sachin Tendulkar	1999-00
4	Datta Gaekwad	1959
4	MS Dhoni	2011
4	MS Dhoni	2014
4	Virat Kohli	2020-21
4	Rohit Sharma	2024

Most WTC Test Wins as Captain

Wins	Captain	Matches
18	Pat Cummins	30
17	Ben Stokes	28
14	Virat Kohli	22
12	Rohit Sharma	22
12	Joe Root	32

Post-match Player Reactions

Pat Cummins (winning captain): Great week, knew we were far away from the team we want to be in Perth. This is back to how we want to play. (On his personal form) I was happy, wasn’t too upset with how I bowled in Perth, felt really good this week and good to get a few wickets. Amazing, never that much noise within the group, we know what a good unit we are. Having someone like Starc, he’s amazing, just does it time and time again. He’s done it for over a decade now. Feel very lucky and privileged to have him in our team. (On Head) He loves batting here, again one of those momentum-shifts, the game could have gone either way when he walked out to bat but he took it straight out of their hands. The main thing was the lead, just happened that it was a pretty good time to bowl as well. seems to do a little bit more under lights. But the big thing was getting a big lead. Scotty just fitted in straightaway like as he does. Feels so lucky to have someone like him, he probes with every ball. Hopefully Josh’s back next week but Scotty is unbelievable. (On Lyon bowling just 1 over in the Test) He’ll jump in the ice bath, he’s had a big week.

Rohit Sharma: Disappointing week for us, we didn’t play well enough to win the game and Australia played better than us. There were times in the game where we could have grabbed those opportunities but we failed to do that and that cost us the game. What we did in Perth was very special, we wanted to come out here and do that again but every Test match has its own challenge. We knew it was going to be challenging with the pink ball. Like I said, Australia was better than us. We are quite looking forward to it (Gabba Test), there’s not much time in between as well. We want to go out there and think about what we did right in Perth and what we did last time when we were here. Some really good memories there, hopefully we understand the challenges of every Test match. We want to start well and play well.

Travis Head (Player of the Match): Nice to get some runs again. I felt like I moved well last week, I felt like I am in good form. It’s a good dressing room to be in, it’s a tight one, most people might suggest otherwise. Putting a good performance in, nothing was ever guaranteed, nice momentum and now we have to move on with it. It wasn’t talked about (to bowl in the final session on day two), Pat gives me great confidence. I can see the game and play the game how I want to see it. I felt like there was a good opportunity with that second new ball. Tried to get as many as we could get and put them under pressure. It was a hot couple of days. Felt like the new ball was going to be tough work. Nice that it was able to come off. I picked the moments really well throughout the innings and we were able to get the ball rolling. (Century celebration) Did it with Miller as well, nice to have them (family) here and it’s been a nice week.

Alex Carey: A great result, what a place it is to play cricket it is, a beautiful venue. To call it our home venue, Travis and I and Nathan now, a fantastic win. (On Starc) He is a proven champion of Australian cricket, not just with the red ball, he’s probably the greatest pink ball bowler. He’s been fantastic again. he bowled really well in Perth and got the rewards this week. (On Head) He’s really found his straps over the last couple of years, he’s just so consistent in his methods. We love watching it. chaotic at times, but it comes off quite often than not. He plays his best when it’s the hardest situation to come out and bat. Marnus and Nathan really set it up and Trav took the game away from India.

Mitchell Starc: It’s been a good week. Nice way to start the other day. We were pretty good throughout. Moving on from the first Test, we knew we had to improve, we’ve responded really well. We weren’t concerned, we left Perth in Perth, we went our own ways for a few days, prepared the way we normally do, got ready for the big Test and responded well. No secret, work hard and see how we go. We are an experienced side, we spend a lot of time together on and off the field playing with and against each other. We left Perth in Perth and we got the job done. You never let the highs get too high and the lows get too low, we did a fair bit of good stuff in the last Test, a lot of things to improve on but not to forget some of the positives to take out of last week. We prepared normally this week and did the job with bat and ball.

Marnus Labuschagne: It’s nice to be in the runs and help the team. There’s a lot of talk during the week, I got back to doing what I know the best that’s hitting lots and lots of cricket balls, looking at the footage where I felt like I was falling short. The selection policy and selection process with this team is very consistent. For me, it was about staying true to myself, true to how I got here as a player. Spent hours thinking about it, spoke to different people and I was able to find my feet in the innings. Always good (to play in Brisbane). The series is 1-1. Last week, we lost the Test match and we were apparently the worst Test team ever. This week, we finished on day three. It’s nice that there’s so much talk about the game.

What to expect in India vs Australia 3rd Test?

Now that Australia has bounced back emphatically after losing the first test in Perth, the series is nicely set up. Aussie have sent a strong message to India and now it’s time for the tourists to regroup and be back at their best.

India vs Australia 3rd Test starts on 14th December 2024 in Brisbane. Brisbane is known for fast, bouncy conditions and it will be testing for both India and Australia to cope with. Stay tuned with Sportsutra for all Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 news updates and thrilling action.

Decoding India’s Winning Formula in Border-Gavaskar Trophy Over the Years

Just like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has become an iconic test series in cricket. Even before the inception of the series back in 1996, the matches between India and Australia produced some thrilling contests. India were once considered underdogs, and also a poor traveler, but the team is now considered a formidable opponent, both in home and away games. Let’s decode India’s Winning Formula in Border-Gavaskar Trophy Over the Years.

Leveraging Home Conditions: The Spin Factor

Much of India’s test dominance comes from the home conditions. It’s also a major contributor to their success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. From time and again, India has managed to produce world-class spinners who went on to exploit home conditions better than opponents.

Key Spin Performances

Harbhajan Masterclass in 2001 Border-Gavaskar Series: Australia took the 1-0 lead following a big 10-wicket win in the first match. But Harbhajan Singh’s remarkable hat-trick in the 2nd test match and 15 wickets in the third match helped India to the 2-1 series win. He ended the series with a jaw-dropping 32 wickets in three matches.
Legendary Stuff From Anil Kumble in 2004 Border-Gavaskar Series: During the 2nd test match of 2004 Border-Gavaskar Series, legendary spinner Anil Kumble picked up 1 wickets across two innings – 7/48 and 6/133. Kumble proved to be most lethal in the Chennai test and set the tone for India’s 10-wicket win.
R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's Combined 53 wickets in 2013: The magic duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have long been terrorizing the opponents, especially in home conditions. The duo’s peak performance came during the 2013 Border-Gavaskar series at home when both picked up a combined 53 wickets in four matches. That was really an unbelievable performance. Ashwin finished the series with 29 wickets and Jadeja ended up with 24 wickets.
Ashwin and Jadeja Rolling Back The Years In 2023: 10 years on from taking a combined 53 wickets Australia, the veteran duo of Ashwin and Jadeja turned back the time after taking 47 wickets – 25 for Ashwin and 22 for Jadeja. Time and time again, this duo has won India games on their own. They are the perfect example of how to exploit home conditions.

India’s formula of winning home games revolve around preparing spin friendly pitches. There’s nothing wrong in it, as every team try to leverage the home conditions. Whenever India hosts a cricket team, the focus is always on the spin bowling. In Border-Gavaskar series, spin has made the biggest difference in home conditions this trend is likely to continue in the future as well.

Tackling Opponents Spinners – The Batting Factor

It’s not just about troubling the Australians with the spin, as the conditions in India also suit the away spinners. And over the years, Australia have travelled with some of the very best when it comes to spin bowlers. Shane Warne being the very best, while the likes of Stuart McGill and Nathan Lyon, to name a few, are also world class. But Indian batsmen still managed to dominate the Australian spinners on most days. This reflects in India’s total dominance in home matches against the Australians.

Key Batting Performances

Tackling Prime Shane Warne in 2001: The 2001 Border-Gavaskar series is a historic series for many reasons. VVS Laxman’s 281-run innings, Harbhajan Singh’s hattrick and on top of that, it was India’s aggression under Saurav Gangully that started a new era for Indian cricket.
One thing also stood out from that series. It was Indian batsmen rendering Shane Warne ineffective on the spin friendly tracks. Australia’s legendary spinner took five wickets in the first match, but took only five more in the next two games. This was one of the main reasons why India won that series.
Stopping Lyon and O'Keefe in their track: Back in 2017, Australia started the Border-Gavaskar series in the most dominating way, winning the first match by a record 333-run margin. At the heart of Australia’s dominance was Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe, with the duo combining for 17 wickets out of 20 in that game. O’Keefe in particular shocked everyone after taking 6 wickets in each of the two innings. But in the next six innings, O’Keefe could manage only seven wickets. Such was the manner in which India batsmen dominated him.

Australia have certainly travelled with some high quality spinners. But the fact that Australia have won only one Border-Gavaskar series in India is a testament to Team India’s ability to tackle Australia’s spinners.

Also Read: Top-10 performances by Indian cricketer in Border-Gavaskar series

Pace Revolution: Winning Abroad

India have won the last four edition of Border-Gavaskar series. Two of those series were played in Australia. Now that’s a better way to put this in a statement. Winning in Australia, and that too a full test series, is a marathon effort. Not only the India’s batsmen had to tackle the pace and bounce of Australia’s bowlers such as Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, but the visitors also had to bowl the opponents out. And they did, with the help of quality pace unit.

Key Elements of India’s Pace Success:

Diversity in Attack: Much of India’s success down under in recent years is down to the variety as well as quality in India’s pace attack. Jasprit Bumrah is unique in all aspects while Mohammed Shami in in his own league. The likes of Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan played huge part in India’s series win on last two tours.
Improved Fitness: Improved fitness standards have allowed India’s fast bowlers to perform at their peak for a longer period. As the BGT series often consists of five tests, fitness is a crucial factor, especially in Australian conditions where grounds are bigger.

Memorable Performances:

2024 Melbourne Test: After India were bolwed out for just 150 runs in the 1st innings of Perth test in 2024, Jasprit Bumrah, who was captaining the team, brought his team right back into the game with a fifer in the first innings. Australia were bowlers out for just 104 runs, and India never looked back. Bumrah took another three wickets in the 2nd innings and won the man-of-the-match award as well.
2018 Melbourne Test: In the Boxing day test of 2018, Jasprit Bumrah took nine wickets across two innings, including a six-wicket haul in the first innings. As always, he was instrumental in India’s big 13-run win in the third test, which was also a series-clinching win.
2021 Gabba Test: Despite missing Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, India still managed to bowl out Australia in both the innings. That was really a performance for the ages by India’s pace bowlers, which consisted of T Natarajan, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur. The trio combined for 16 wickets and India recorded a famous series win.

Conclusion

India’s winning formula in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is simple – leverage the home conditions and travel with a high-quality pace attack. From Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble to Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India always had spinners who had skills to exploit home conditions better than any other bowlers. While on tour, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj fough toe-to-toe with Australia’s pace attack. India dominated the recent Border-Gavaskar series because they had the players who could adjust their game to different circumstances.

India’s Bowling Attack: The Key to Success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Team India made a mockery of the Australian bowling attack and batting unit at the Optus Stadium in Perth during the first Border Gavaskar Trophy Test. The Indian team, under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, were all over the hosts in Perth and registered a famous victory by 295 runs, leaving Australia dispersed. With a 1-0 lead in their kitty, team India has kicked off the series in the most effective manner and would be hoping to continue with the same intensity and momentum in the remaining Tests.

The Australian pitches and conditions have always aided pacers. The conditions down under have always suited seamers and pacers, and this is something both teams have stressed. The Indian bowling attack, especially the pacers, is a new breed with the likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Akashdeep, and Mohammad Siraj in the squad and one of the best pacers in the world, Jasprit Bumarh leading the pack. In this post, we will be discussing the Indian bowling attack, which could well be the key to success in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Also read: Best matches of Border-Gavaskar Series

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is the most vital cog in the Indian bowling lineup in Australian conditions. The fiery pacer took 8 wickets in the opening game and deservingly walked away with the Man of the Match trophy. Bumrah has already built a legacy in World Cricket and his numbers speaks volumes for the talent he possesses. Bumrah’s action makes him a fearsomely unique prospect in India’s bowling unit and he will hold the key in this series.

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
9	44	2.47	18.47	6/33

Ravichandran Ashwin

The experience of Ravichandran Ashwin will be handy for the Indian team in Australia. Irrespective of the fact that the Australian conditions don’t favor spinners much, but Ashwin being a wiley customer, will surely bring something out of his armory to trouble the Aussies batters. Check his numbers below.

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
11	40	2.93	42.42	4/55

Also Read: Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

Ravindra Jadeja

Irrespective of the conditions, left-arm spinners somehow get into wickets, and Ravindra Jadeja is a prime example of this. Jadeja’s quality is that he is always at the stumps and doesn’t give any room whatsoever to the batters. Jadeja’s all-round abilities could be crucial in Australia. Check out his numbers in Australia.

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
4	14	2.41	21.78	4/62

Mohammad Siraj

Mohammad Siraj will be the partner in crime of Jasprit Bumrah in this Border Gavaskar Trophy. The right-arm medium pacer scalped 2 in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second in Perth and played an instrumental role in bowling out Australia in the second innings. Siraj will be the first-choice bowler to partner Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
9	22	2.97	25.13	5/73

Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana impressed one and all in the opening Test. Castling Travis Head in the first innings was the premier highlight of his debut game, and he ended up with 3 scalps in the first innings. Harshit made his Test debut in the opening match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and will play an important role in this series, especially with his ability to hit the deck hard.

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
1	4	4.51	50.75	3/48

Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep

Both Prasidh Krishna and Akashdeep are yet to make their debut in Australia. Both played Test cricket in Indian conditions and possess different qualities. While Prasidh Krishna takes advantage of his height and hits the deck hard, Akashdeep is a skiddy customer and likes to angle the ball inside the right-hander. With two bowlers possessing two different attributes, it would be interesting to see when and where these two will get their chance in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Prasidh Krishna

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
2	2	4.64	65	1/27

Akash Deep

Matches in Australia	Wickets	Economy	Average	Best in an Innings
5	10	3.73	25.80	3/83

India’s Strategy to Counter Australian Conditions in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has long been the ultimate litmus test for cricketing giants India and Australia. Over the years, this series has produced cricket moments that will live long in the memory of Indian cricket fans, with the rivalry now evolving into a fierce contest of skill, temperament, and resilience. As the two cricket giants fighting in the 2024-25 edition, let’s discuss India’s strategy to tackle the challenges posed by Australian conditions.

1. Understanding Cricket Conditions in Australia

Playing in Australia is a completely different challenge. The pitches are bouncier, faster, and at times offer assistance to spinners as well. One of the biggest challenge playing in Australia is to deal with the Kookaburra ball. It’s no secret that Kookaburra ball is completely different from the SG balls used in India. The Kookaburra balls are known for their low seam and quick loss of swing, and that’s where bowlers’ ability come to the fore. In addition, Australia’s world-class batting unit and formidable pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc, make them a tough side to beat at home.

India’s success in the ongoing 2024-25 the Border-Gavaskar Trophy depends on how the team adapt to the conditions. Every ground is different. The conditions in Perth are different from what Indian team will be facing in Adelaide, Melbourne or Brisbane. So it’s all about adapting, and adapting fast.

2. More Responsibility From Top Order Batsmen

In Australia, the key to a strong batting performance lies in facing the new ball which often does most of the trick for the fast bowlers. Since grounds in Australia are large, batsmen can easily tire out the bowlers. India’s top-order, which consists of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, must shoulder responsibility to see out the the new-ball spell from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. If India’s top-order batsmen manage to keep wicket column of the likes of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood empty, then India could find themselves in a great position in this series.

Key Focus Areas for Batsmen

Playing the Short Ball: Australian pitches are known for their bounce and quickness. Aussie pacers, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, are expert at exploiting bounce. Indian batsmen need to mitigate the threat of bounce while also learning when to leave deliveries.
Building Partnerships: Winning a test match requires big totals. India’s middle order, featuring players like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, must focus on capitalizing on starts and converting them into centuries.
Attacking Nathan Lyon: Australia have only one recognized spinner in their ranks, in the shape of Nathan Lyon. If Indian batsmen can attack him, then this can leave Australia short on bowling options. That also means, there will be more pressure on their pacers.

Also Read: Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

3. Balanced Bowling Attack

The big reason for India’s wins in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series was their world-class bowling attack. In Australian conditions, pace is king, but spin can also play a decisive role if the match goes to fourth and the fifth day.

Fast Bowlers: The Spearhead of the Attack

Though India are without Mohammed Shami, they still have Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, two of India’s most formidable pacers. Their success will hinge on:

Exploiting Early Swing: Using the new ball effectively is crucial, as the Kookaburra loses swing after the first 10-15 overs.
Hitting the Deck Hard: Consistent line and length aimed at the top of off-stump will test Australian batsmen’s patience.
Reverse Swing: As the ball looses it shine, reverse swing becomes a vital weapon.

4. Spinners: Must be more than a Support Act

Australians conditions definitely favors fast bowlers, but the pitches at grounds such as Brisbane and Sydney also have something for spinners. In Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India have te best spinning duo in their ranks. Jadeja’s all-round abilities and Ashwin’s experience could prove invaluable in turning games around on wearing tracks.

5. Keeping Jasprit Bumrah Fresh

India is not a one-man team, but their bowling heavily relies on Jasprit Bumrah. The Mumbai Indians star was the biggest reason for India’s win in the first test at Perth. He picked up a fifer in the first innings and another three-wicket haul in the 2nd innings to end the match with a man-of-the-match award.

Having said that, the Indian captain has to ensure that Bumrah isn’t overused. He has a history of injuries, so putting excessive burden on Bumrah, especially when Mohammad Shami is missing, could be counterproductive.

Also read: Best matches of Border-Gavaskar Series

6. Leveraging Bench Strength

The Border-Gavaskar series is a marathon. It’s a five-match test series, so it’s likely that there will be rotation due to factors such as fatigue and injuries. The 2021 series is a perfect example of bench strength. India were plagued by injuries and the absence of key players such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah and yet India recorded a series win. It was down to players such as Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan and Shardul Thakur who stepped up to the occasion.

For India to emulate success from last tour, every player has to perform at the optimum level to help the team negotiate Australia’s threat. Players such as Akash Deep and Sarfraz Khan, to name a few, must be ready to play if the situation demands.

7. Better Use of Technology (DRS)

Modern cricket relies heavily on technology. It’s not just down to data analytics of opponents and making looking to find weakness in opposing batsmen through videos, or using any other form of technology, but the success also depends on the use of DRS.

It’s no secret that India’s record at taking DRS is poor ever since MS Dhoni retired. Bowlers normally ride on their emotions when an umpire deem a decision against them, and they try to convince the captain, in India’s case, Rohit Sharma. But Indian captain must keep the emotions out and should take the DRS decision based on merit.

Conclusion

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains one of the most exciting test series in world cricket. The ongoing 2024-2025 edition is heading towards a blockbuster series. India won the first test match but in a series as long as this, a 1-0 lead is very dangerous. It can change quickly. For India to remain in a commanding position, every player and the team management as well have to bring their A-game to the very last phase of the game.

Top 10 Performances by Indian Cricketers in BGT Trophy

The Border-Gavaskar series is full of moments when players turned into superheroes, winning games for their team from an improbable situation. Be it the 2001 Kolkata Test or the famous win at Brisbane in 2021, these are the games that are etched in the memories of Indian fans. It’s hard to pick a few performances considering the rich cricket history between India and Australia. But here are the top-10 performances by Indian cricketers in the India vs Australia matches.

Also read: Best matches of Border-Gavaskar Series

1. 2001 Kolkata Test- VVS Laxman, 281 Runs In 2nd innings

When there’s a conversation between commentators or fellow cricket fans about the best ever batting performance, then VVS Laxman’s 281-run innings is discussed with verve and passion. What makes this innings standout is the surreal circumstances it was played. Not only India were trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, but they were staring at a certain in the 2nd test in Kolkata. Australia were holding all the mighty cards, and the match was heading in only one direction – in a record-extending 17th test win for Australia.

But fate had other plans. Enter VVS Laxman, the batsman who had magic in his wrists. He arrived at the crease at a time when India were 52-1, still facing a 222-run deficit. Laxman held the fort at one end as the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly perished. But his historical 378-run partnership with Rahul Dravid changed the game on its head. Laxman made 281 runs as India declared at 657/7, setting Australia a 384-run target. The rest is the history as India won the match by 171 runs.

2. 1977 Melbourne Test- Bhagwath Chandrasekhar – 12/104

Whether you are a child or a grown up man, your first experience is memorable. You don’t forget it. Before travelling down under for the five-match test series, India had played a total of 27 matches in Australia and never tasted a win in the country.

This series was heading towards the familiar shores for Team India who lost the first two test matches. Trailing 0-2 and fighting to remain relevant in the series, India, somehow, managed to produce an unthinkable display, of bowling and batting.

India made 256 runs in the first innings and Australia posted 213 in response. Visitors did better with the bat in their 2nd innings, making 343 runs. Chasing 386 runs to win the match, Australia buckled under pressure and were bundled out for just 164 runs in the fourth innings.

The bowler who broke Australia’s backbone was Bhagwath Chandrasekhar. The legendary leg spinner took six wickets in each of the two innings and ended with a combined figure of 12/104. Truly masterclass of a performance.

3. 2001 Kolkata Test- Harbhajan Singh – 13/196

Beating the Australia side of early 2000, led by Steve Waugh, was a herculean task. Any opponent aiming to beat the Aussie side that had legendary figures such as Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, had to be perfect. It was not just VVS Laxman’s historic 281-run innings that helped India snapped Australia’s 16-game winning run, but a certain Harbhajan Singh also played a huge role.

Harbhajan Singh was only 20 at that time and was still trying to carve out a name for himself. Aussies had the knack of destroying bowlers and ended career of some young players. But Harbhajan was a different gravy. He was the chief architect of Australia’s batting collapse, picking up a combined 13 wickets in the match.

4. 2003 Melbourne Test- Virender Sehwag – 195

Although India lost the Boxing day test during their 2003-04 tour of Australia, the test is still remembered by Indian cricket fans because of Virender Sehwag’s brutal batting. The mercurial batter produced a brilliant batting display which is still considered as one of the best ever by a foreign player on Australia’s soil.

Sehwag was facing a prime Brett Lee, but he didn’t bother and hit him all around the park. The likes of Nathan Bracken, Stuart McGill and Brad Williams looked ordinary against the dynamic Indian batter. Sehwag missed out on a deserved double-hundred after getting out on 195 runs off 233 balls. He hit 25 fours and five massive sixes during that innngs.

Who took his wicket? It was part-time bowler Simon Katich. And the ball was the ordinary as it can be, a full toss. Sehwag was trying to clear the fence but failed to connect properly.

Video Courtesy – Cricket Australia Youtube Channel

5. Ravi Shastri – 206 and 4/45 at Sydney, 1991

India toured Australia in 1991-92 for the five-match test series. It was the time when Indian cricket didn’t fancy travelling to countries such as England, Australia or South Africa. The series reflected that nation as India lost 4-0. The only game Indian team managed to draw was the 3rd test at Sydney. It was the match which is remembered for Ravi Shastri’s magnificent all-round display.

Australia were bowled out for 313 runs in the first innings. Then came India’s chance to bat and the visitors posted 483 runs in their first innings. The highlight was Ravi Shastri’s double-century, 206 runs which he scored in 477 balls. The mercurial all-rounder also took four wickets in Australia’s 2nd innings and was given the man-of-the-match award.

6. 1981 Melbourne Test- Gundappa Vishwanath – 114

Gundappa Viswanath was a special batsman who had an impeccable technique, and a remarkable ability to perform under pressure. He was famous for playing square cuts and late flicks. Amongst his many match winnings innings, one was special.

India lost the opening game of the series by an innings and four runs, but managed to draw the next game. India needed to win the third match to save the series and that’s what happened. The hero of the match for Team India was Gundappa Vishwanath who scored a magnificent 114 runs in the first innings. What makes this innings super special was that no other Indian batsman could even touch the 30-run mark. Out of India’s 237-run total in the first innings, 114 were scored by Gundappa Vishwanath. The Karnataka-born batter also scored 30 runs in the 2nd innings and won the man-of-the-match award as India won the match by 59 runs.

7. Rishabh Pant – 89* at Brisbane, 2021

It was the fourth test of India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia. The series was tied at 1-1 going into the final match of the series. India were the clear underdogs, not because they were the away team, but because of many key players such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were all missing due to various reasons.

Australia made 369 runs in the first innings and India almost equaled the tally after making 336 runs in the first innings. The real battle started in the 2nd innings as Australia were bowled out for 294 runs, setting India a target of 327 runs.

Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) scored vital half centuries but it was Rishabh Pant who held the innings together and took India home after scoring an unbeaten 89 runs. Pant was given the man-of-the-match award as well for his match-winning innings.

8. Ajinkya Rahane – 112 at Melbourne, 2020

Ahead of the 2nd test during India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia, the visitors had everything going against them. Virat Kohli left the tour due to personal reasons, and the team suffered a huge 8-wicket defeat in the first test match. The worst part was that India was bundled out for just 36 runs in one of the innings.

The responsibility fell on the shoulders of Ajinkya Rahane, and the Maharashtra batter passed the test with flying colors. His decision making as a captain was right on the money, but he impressed the most as a batter. As a captain, the hardest job is to perform under pressure and Rahane smashed a superb hundred in the first innings. He led the foundation for India’s 8-wicket win and the momentum also shifted towards the visitors who went on to win the series as well.

9. Rahul Dravid – 233 & 72 at Adelaide, 2003

Sourav Ganguly changed the whole perception around Team India. The magnificent win at the Lord’s and the appearances in the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup and the 2001 ICC Champions Trophy filled the team with the confidence that they are no longer poor travellers. That, they can win win any country and under any circumstances.

The first test in India’s 2003-04 tour of Australia ended in a draw as both teams piled up runs. In the next match at Adelaide, Team India defied odds and scripted a magnificent victory.

But Australia were in a strong position after posting 556 runs in the first innings. India needed a big score in their first innings and that’s what they got thanks to Rahul Dravid’s magnificent double-hundred. The Wall scored 233 runs and VVS Laxman also contributed with a sublime 148-run innings.

Dravid scored another 72 runs in the 2nd innings as India chased down 233 runs to win the Adelaide test.

10. Jasprit Bumrah, Perth Test 2024 – 5/30 & 3/42

India headed to Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series in the worst possible mindset. They lost 0-3 at home against New Zealand which put their position at the ICC Test Championship table in grave danger. Expectations were low heading to the Perth test, and when India managed only 150 runs in the first innings, it all seemed true.

But India are blessed to have Jasprit Bumrah, the generational player. The Mumbai Indians star made India’s 150-run total look like a big score as Australia were bundled out for just 104 runs, giving India an important 46-run lead. At the heart of India’s unlikely win was Jasprit Bumrah who took a fifer in the first innings and a three-wicket haul in the 2nd innings.

Worth Mentioning

There are many other moments when certain players played out of their skins and won games for India in the Border-Gavaskar series. Shubman Gill’s 91 runs in the Brisbane test deserves more recognition, as does Sachin Tendulkar’s 241-run innings in the 4th test of India’s 2003-04 tour of Australia. As highlighted above, it’s hard to prefer a certain match over other when the rivalry between India and Australia is full of memorable moments.

5 Young Guns to Watch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of cricket’s most fiercely contested test series. The 2024-25 edition has kept fans on the edge with great talents showcasing their skills and prowess. Let’s look at the most exciting young talents who are lighting up the BGT this time.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

In the short career span, Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a name for himself on the International cricket circuit. Before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the 22-year-old opening batsman has amassed 1,407 runs in 14 Tests at a staggering batting average of 56.28. These stats speak volumes about the mental aspect of Jaiswal’s batting. On his first tour Down Under, Jaiswal enters Australia under immense expectations but that’s what the greats do. They thrive under challenging circumstances and etch their names in history.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Stats

(As of 5 December 2024)

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Bat Average	SR	100	50
Test	15	1,568	214*	58.07	67.84	4	8
T20I	23	723	100	36.15	164.31	1	5
FC	31	3,452	265	66.38	67.42	13	10
List A	32	1,511	203	53.96	86.19	5	7
T20	104	2,978	124	31.68	150.25	3	17

2. Nitish Kumar Reddy

Nitish Reddy is a fast bowling all-rounder the Indian Cricket Team was always on the lookout for. His batting style has already put him in the spotlight. Now the ICT fans hope he does as well as the ball in hand to give India an edge and could well become a defining player in the BGT 2024-25 series.

Nitish Reddy Stats

(Stats as of 5 December 2024)

Batting

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Bat Average	SR	100	50
Tests	1	79	41	79.00	91.86	0	0
T20Is	3	90	74	45.00	180.00	0	1
FC	24	858	159	22.57	56.52	1	2
List A	22	403	60*	36.63	95.27	0	4
T20s	23	485	76*	32.33	135.47	0	3

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Bowl Average	Econ	SR	4w	5w
Tests	1	1	1/21	1/25	25.00	3.57	42.0	0	0
T20Is	3	3	2/23	2/23	23.66	7.88	18.0	0	0
FC	24	57	5/53	8/119	26.94	3.27	49.4	3	2
List A	22	14	3/23	3/23	42.07	5.81	43.4	0	0
T20s	23	6	2/17	2/17	51.00	10.49	29.1	0	0

3. Akash Deep

Akash Deep has grabbed whatever limited opportunities he has received with both hands. With Mohd Siraj not at his wicket-taking best and Mohammed Shami missing out due to injury, Akash Deep is seen as the fast bowling partner who can ably support Indian bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. His debut series against England at home earlier this year where he claimed wickets on spin-friendly wickets was impressive. Cricket fans hope that Akash adapts to pace-friendly pitches and helps the Indian bowling unit.

Akash Deep Stats

(Stats as of 5 December 2024)

Format	Matches	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Bowl Average	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10w
Tests	5	10	3/83	3/63	25.80	3.73	41.4	0	0	0
FC	36	123	6/60	10/112	22.98	3.07	44.8	8	5	1
List A	28	42	3/6	3/6	24.50	4.82	30.4	0	0	0
T20s	42	49	4/35	4/35	23.46	7.71	18.2	1	0	0

4. Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana is another fast bowler Indian fans have high hopes from. Harshit Rana is a fiery and exciting fast-bowling prospect who was fast-tracked into the Indian cricket red-ball setup after just ten first-class matches, where he scalped 43 wickets at an average of 24.00. His growth and performance in Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 victory gave fans a glimpse of what he can offer. Let’s hope Harshit turns out to be a game-changer on Australia’s pacy and bouncy pitches.

Harshit Rana Stats

(Stats as of 5 December 2024)

Format	Matches	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Bowl Average	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10w
Tests	1	4	3/48	4/117	29.25	4.03	43.5	0	0	0
FC	11	47	7/45	10/108	24.44	3.99	36.7	3	2	1
List A	14	22	4/17	4/17	23.45	5.54	25.3	2	0	0
T20s	25	28	3/24	3/24	23.64	8.94	15.8	0	0	0

5. Nathan McSweeney

Nathan McSweeney is Australia’s designated opening batsman for BGT 2024-25. With big shoes to fill of legendary opener David Warner, the 25-year-old would be under tremendous pressure to deliver in the high-octane India vs Australia Test series. Prior to the test series, he put on some gritty performances for Australia A against India A, including an unbeaten 88 in a clutch fourth-innings chase.

Nathan McSweeney Stats

(Stats as of 5 December 2024)

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Bat Average	SR	100	50
Tests	1	10	10	5.00	58.82	0	0
First Class (FC)	35	2,262	127*	37.08	41.98	6	12
List A	22	845	137	42.25	81.95	1	8
T20s	18	428	84	26.75	112.92	0	2

There is a lot of buzz around the new names who are playing the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first. Which youngster do you think will make his mark?

The Best Border-Gavaskar Matches of All Time

Named after two legends, India’s Sunil Gavaskar and Australia’s Allan Border, the Border-Gavaskar series is the test-series played between India and Australia. Some of the matches played in this series have become part of the cricket folklore, producing moments that feel like they are out of big Hollywood movie. Indeed, the tales of head-to-head battle between Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne feels like the zenith of rivalry, but player such as Hanuma Vihari and Pragyan Ojha also played their part in some historical moments in this series.

History of Border-Gavaskar Series

Though India and Australia played the first test match over a century ago, it was only in 1996-97 when the test series between these two nations was named after the two greats of cricket.

The first-ever test match in the Border-Gavaskar series was played from October 10-14 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground in Delhi. Most notably, it was Sachin Tendulkar’s first series as captain and he was off to a flying start as captain as India won the match by seven wickets.

Brief scorecard

Australia 1st Innings: 182 (73 Overs) – Anil Kumble 4/63
India 1st Innings: 361 (131.4 overs) – Nayan Mongia 152
Australia 2nd innings: 234 (108.3 overs) – Anil Kumble 5/67
India 2nd Innings: 58/3 (13.2 overs)
Result: India won by 7 wickets.

Since the first Border-Gavaskar Series, both nations have played a total of 16 test series – nine in India and seven in Australia, excluding the ongoing five-test match series which India are leading 1-0. Here’s the list of Border-Gavaskar series and winners list:

Season	Host	Tests	India	Australia	Draw	Winner
1996-97	India	1	1	0	0	India
1997-98	India	3	2	1	0	India
1999-2000	Australia	3	0	3	0	Australia
2000-01	India	3	2	1	0	India
2003-04	Australia	4	1	1	2	Drawn
2004-05	India	4	1	2	1	Australia
2007-08	Australia	4	1	2	1	Australia
2008-09	India	4	2	0	2	India
2010-11	India	2	2	0	0	India
2011-12	Australia	4	0	4	0	Australia
2012-13	India	4	4	0	0	India
2014-15	Australia	4	0	2	2	Australia
2016-17	India	4	2	1	1	India
2018-19	Australia	4	2	1	1	India
2020-21	Australia	4	2	1	1	India
2022-23	India	4	2	1	1	India

There’s never a dull moment, and the temperature soars high when these two cricket giants line up to face each other. It’s hard to pick one game over the other when the history is full of heart-wrenching and incredible moments in the India vs Australia matches. But we have listed down games that are part of cricket annals. Now let’s take a look at the Best Border-Gavaskar Matches of All Time.

Also read: Virat Kohli in Australia: A Legacy of Runs and Records

1. Kolkata, 2001

Arguably the greatest Test match ever played, the Kolkata Test of 2001 redefined Indian cricket forever. India lost the first test match in a one-sided affair and were forced to follow on with a 274-run deficit in the 2nd test match in Kolkata. The great Sachin Tendulkar departed for only 10, leaving India reeling at 115/3. Captain Sourav Ganguly added 117 runs with VVS Laxman for the 5th wicket, but the latter departed after making 48 runs. At that stage, India were still behind by 52 runs. The fact that India also needed to score runs to put up a decent total for Australia, India’s chances looked bleak.

But enter VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. The duo fought not only against the likes of legendary bowlers such as Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, but also against insurmountable odds. The duo added 376-run partnership which turned the game on its head.

Laxman scored an unforgettable 281, while Dravid added 180. India declared at 657/7, setting Australia a daunting 384 to win. Harbhajan Singh’s magical off-spin destroyed Australia, and India pulled off an incredible 171-run victory.

2. Perth, 2008

The 2008 Perth Test was more than just a cricket match; it was India’s pride. This match came after the infamous “Monkeygate” incident that marred the Sydney game. India arrived in Perth with a point to prove.

Australia added Shaun Tait, who could bowl at 160 KMPH, to their squad for the Perth test. But the Indian team showed grit and determination.

On a pitch renowned for its pace and bounce, India posted 330 runs in the first innings, thanks to big scores from Rahul Dravid (93) and Sachin Tendulkar (71). India’s bowling unit, consisted of young bowlers such as RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma, ripped through Australia’s batting line-up, bowling the hosts out for just 212 runs.

India scored 294 runs in the 2nd innings and set Australia a challenging 413 to win. Despite Michael Clarke’s fighting innings, India recoded a historic 72-run victory. India also broke Australia’s 16-match winning streak for the second time.

3. Brisbane, 2021

The Gabba had been Australia’s fortress for 32 years until the Indian team, ravaged by injuries, recorded an unlikely win. This was the fourth match of the 2020-21 series and a series decided after Australia and India’s win in the first and second test. Third test match, on the other hand, ended in a draw.

Australia batted first and posted 369 runs in the first innings, thanks to a brilliant century from Manus Labuschagne. India were reeling at 186-6 but a 123-run stand between Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur helped India reach 336 runs in their first innings.

A five-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami and a four-wicket spell from Shardul Thakur rattled the Australian batting unit in the 2nd innings. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 294 runs, giving India a target of 327 runs to win.

India, led by Shubman Gill’s fearless 91 and Rishabh Pant’s scintillating unbeaten 89, achieved the unthinkable as the visitors won the game by three wickets. This victory not only helped India win the series 2-1 but also added a new chapter to India’s cricket history.

4. Chennai, 2001

After a historic win in the Kolkata test, India headed to Chennai for the final test looking to hand Australia a rare series defeat in tests.

However, the Australians, like always, showed grit and showed resilience as they posted 391 runs in the first innings, with Matthew Hayden scoring 203 runs.

But India had all the momentum from the Kolkata Test and it showed in their batting approach as five of the top-six Indian batsmen scored at least a fifty, led by Sachin Tendulkar who scored 126 runs.

In the 2nd Innings, Australia were bowled out for just 264 runs, setting India a 155-run target on a challenging pitch. India’s top-order collapsed as three of the top-six batsmen failed to touch the double-digit mark. But India somehow managed to cross the line and won the game by two wickets.

5. Melbourne, 2020

Heading into the 2nd test of their 2020-21 Border Gavaskar series down under, there weren’t many expectations from Indian team. After all, Kohli’s team was bowled out for only 36 runs in the 2nd innings of the first test match in Adelaide. Indeed, expectations were low, but just like the 2001 Kolkata Test, India defied the odds once again.

India bowled Australia out for 195 runs in the first innings and posted 326 themselves to take a lead of 131 runs going into the 2nd innings. India’s bowlers didn’t let the Aussies breathe again as hosts were bundled out for only 200 runs in the third innings. It was only formalities then as India chased down 70 runs without any difficulty, winning the game by 8 wickets.

This test will always be remembered for Ajinkya Rahane’s magnificent 112-run innings and his superb captaincy that changed India’s fortune in this series.

6. Adelaide, 2003

India cricket team was never a good traveler. Their record in overseas test series was poor to say the least. But in 2023, that tag of being poor travelers changed for good. It was the 2nd test match of the 2003-04 test series in Australia. After conceding 556 in first innings, courtesy of Ricky Ponting’s 242, India responded with a magnificent batting display of their own, posting 523 runs, thanks to superb centuries from Rahul Dravid (233) and VVS Laxman (148).

In the 3rd innings, Ajit Agarkar produced a fiery display of bowling, picking up six wickets as Australia were bundled out for just 196 runs. Dravid top-scored for India once again with 72 runs and India recorded a memorable four-wicket victory.

7. Mohali, 2010

The first Test of the 2010 series in Mohali had everything one can imagine. Big 1st innings totals, batting failure and a close escape. But the match ended in India’s win, in a one-wicket win only. Unlike white-ball cricket, if a test match comes down to a one-wicket, then you can be sure of a script like a Hollywood movie.

Australia made 428 runs in the first innings and India responded with 405 runs. But a batting collapse in the 3rd innings, with Aussies getting bowled out for just 192 runs, gave India a chance to win the match.

It was, however, anything but a straightforward chase. While chasing 216 runs to win, India found themselves reeling at 124/8. Victory seemed out of reach.

However, VVS Laxman, battling back spasms, and Ishant Sharma strung together a 81-run partnership for the 9th wicket. When Sharma departed, India still needed 11 more runs to win. Pragyan Ojha managed to survive and helped India clocked a one-wicket win.

8. Pune, 2017

Indian team struggling against the spin at home is a rare sight. But in 2017, Australia’s Steve O’Keefe made Indian batsmen look like amateur players. It was the first test of the four-match series. Australia batted first and could manage only 260 runs in the first innings. Indeed, India were in a commanding position but it didn’t take long for the Aussies to take command. India were bundled out for just 105 runs in the first innings, with 8 batsmen failing to reach double-digit.

India’s fortune didn’t change in the 2nd innings as Virat Kohli and Co were bowled out for only 107 runs in the 2nd innings. At the centre of India’s massive failure was Steve O’Keefe who took six wickets in each of the two innings. The defeat also ended India’s 19-match unbeaten streak in Tests.

Conclusion

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is not just another test series, but also an emotion and resilience that define Test cricket.

From Harbhajan’s hat-trick and Dravid-Laxman’s epic partnerships, to the incredible series win down under, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues to produce moments that remain etched in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.

If you think we have left out a match that should be part of the conversation, then do let us know in the comments.

Australia’s Most Feared Bowlers in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia is one of the biggest challenges for the Indian Cricket Team. The Australian Cricket Team boasts an exceptional and proven bowling attack. The likes of Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood have been around for years now and their potency on Australian soil is at its peak. Let’s take a look at the most feared Australian bowlers and their extraordinary stats against India, at home and in their careers.

Most Test Wickets for Australian Bowlers against India (in Australia)

Since 1996 – the start of BGT trophy, Stats as of 5 December

Player	Matches	Wickets	Best Bowling	5 Wickets	10 Wickets	Average	SR
Nathan Lyon	17	62	7/152	4	1	37.93	76.5
Josh Hazlewood	12	47	5/8	3	0	24.17	58.2
Brett Lee	8	45	5/47	2	0	26.71	47.5
Mitchell Starc	13	43	5/47	1	0	32.34	59.4
Pat Cummins	10	39	6/27	1	0	25.64	55.2
Mitchell Johnson	7	29	4/61	0	0	34.17	60.1
Ben Hilfenhaus	4	27	5/75	2	0	17.22	37.3
Peter Siddle	5	25	5/49	1	0	21.52	36.4
Glenn McGrath	3	18	5/48	2	1	13.77	37.6
Ryan Harris	5	16	4/70	0	0	32.06	76.5

Nathan Lyon is the highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests against India at home, with 62 wickets in 17 matches thus far. The pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins also feature in the top 10 bowlers with most wickets against India at home. The quartet can pose challenges for Team India in the 2025 edition of BGT and India batters must be wary of them.

Most Test Wickets for Australia at Home since 2000

Player	Matches	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Average	SR	5 Wickets	10 Wickets
Nathan Lyon	68	261	7/152	12/286	31.09	64.5	9	2
Mitchell Starc	51	220	6/66	10/100	26.49	48.0	7	1
Brett Lee	40	179	5/30	9/171	29.41	52.1	6	0
Mitchell Johnson	34	171	8/61	11/159	25.47	45.9	7	1
Josh Hazlewood	40	167	6/70	9/79	22.70	52.1	7	0
Glenn McGrath	37	156	8/24	10/27	21.87	55.2	6	2
Pat Cummins	34	155	6/23	10/62	20.29	44.8	8	2
Shane Warne	29	131	6/80	8/112	29.51	61.8	4	0
Peter Siddle	34	122	6/54	9/104	27.66	57.3	5	0
Stuart MacGill	22	103	7/104	10/133	30.34	56.9	7	1

Stats as of 5 December

Most Wickets in Test for Australia since 2000

Player	Matches	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Average	SR	5 Wickets	10 Wickets
Nathan Lyon	130	16171	532	8/50	13/154	30.39	62.0	24	5
Mitchell Starc	90	10057	361	6/50	11/94	27.85	48.8	14	2
Shane Warne	65	8986	357	7/94	12/246	25.17	50.7	21	6
Mitchell Johnson	73	8891	313	8/61	12/127	28.40	51.1	12	3
Brett Lee	75	9476	303	5/30	9/171	31.27	53.8	9	0
Glenn McGrath	66	6100	297	8/24	10/27	20.53	51.4	14	2
Josh Hazlewood	71	6835	278	6/67	9/79	24.58	53.1	12	0
Pat Cummins	63	6216	272	6/23	10/62	22.85	47.2	12	2
Peter Siddle	67	6777	221	6/54	9/104	30.66	62.9	8	0
Jason Gillespie	57	5662	209	6/40	9/80	27.09	57.4	5	0

Stats as of 5 December

Virat Kohli in Australia: A Legacy of Runs and Records

Virat Kohli is one of the most prolific batsmen in cricket history. He is referred to as a run machine for his knack of scoring runs day in and out, and shattering run-scoring records all day. Since his International debut, consistency across all formats has been one of the hallmarks of Virat Kohli’s batting. Over the years, there have been many memorable Virat Kohli innings in Australia that have entertained cricket fans. Without any further ado, let’s look at Virat Kohli’s Stats in Australia across all formats.

Virat Kohli Test Stats in Australia

	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	100s
Overall	119	9145	254*	48.13	30
In Australia	14	1457	169	56.03	7

Virat Kohli’s Test Match-by-Match List in Australia

1st Inning	2nd Inning	Total Runs	Ground	Start Date
11	0	11	Melbourne	26 Dec 2011
23	9	32	Sydney	3 Jan 2012
44	75	119	W.A.C.A	13 Jan 2012
116	22	138	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
115	141	256	Adelaide	9 Dec 2014
19	1	20	Brisbane	17 Dec 2014
169	54	223	Melbourne	26 Dec 2014
147	46	193	Sydney	6 Jan 2015
3	34	37	Adelaide	6 Dec 2018
123	17	140	Perth	14 Dec 2018
82	0	82	Melbourne	26 Dec 2018
23	–	23	Sydney	3 Jan 2019
74	4	78	Adelaide	17 Dec 2020
5	100*	105	Perth	22 Nov 2024

Virat Kohli ODI Stats in Australia vs AUS

Span	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	100s
Career	295	13906	183	58.18	50
vs AUS in Australia	18	802	117	47.17	3

Virat Kohli’s ODI Match-by-Match List in Australia (vs AUS)

Runs	Ground	Date
31	Melbourne	5 Feb 2012
18	Adelaide	12 Feb 2012
12	Brisbane	19 Feb 2012
21	Sydney	26 Feb 2012
9	Melbourne	18 Jan 2015
3*	Sydney	26 Jan 2015
1	Sydney	26 Mar 2015
91	W.A.C.A	12 Jan 2016
59	Brisbane	15 Jan 2016
117	Melbourne	17 Jan 2016
106	Canberra	20 Jan 2016
8	Sydney	23 Jan 2016
3	Sydney	12 Jan 2019
104	Adelaide	15 Jan 2019
46	Melbourne	18 Jan 2019
21	Sydney	27 Nov 2020
89	Sydney	29 Nov 2020
63	Canberra	2 Dec 2020

Virat Kohli T20I Stats in Australia vs AUS

	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	100
Career	125	4188	122*	48.69	1
vs AUS in Australia	11	451	90*	64.42	0

Virat Kohli’s T20I Match-by-Match List in Australia (vs AUS)

Runs	Ground	Date
22	Sydney	1 Feb 2012
31	Melbourne	3 Feb 2012
90*	Adelaide	26 Jan 2016
59*	Melbourne	29 Jan 2016
50	Sydney	31 Jan 2016
4	Brisbane	21 Nov 2018
TDNB	Melbourne	23 Nov 2018
61*	Sydney	25 Nov 2018
9	Canberra	4 Dec 2020
40	Sydney	6 Dec 2020
85	Sydney	8 Dec 2020

The Indian Players Who’ve Shone on Australian Soil: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Legends

We are in the midst of the fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-24. Over the years, BGT has redefined the meaning of “TEST Cricket”. India’s Down Under tours have been full of challenges and moments of glory.

Here’s looking at the moments of sheer brilliance and celebrating the most memorable performances by Indian cricketers in Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara (2018-19)

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Player of the Series (POTS) performance in 2018-19 is one of the most celebrated performances by an Indian batter in Australia. Match after match, Pujara stood as a wall for India to blunt the Australian bowling attack. He scored 521 runs at an impressive 74.42 batting average, studded with three centuries.

Anil Kumble – 8/141 (2004)

Anil Kumble produced a magical bowling spell in Sydney (2004) to claim 8 wickets for 141 runs. In the contest for the ages where a win was out of reach, Jumbo pushed Aussie back to secure a hard-fought draw for India.

Jasprit Bumrah – 6/33 (2018)

Fast bowling wizard Jasprit Bumrah produced a dream spell in 2018 during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The young and raw Bumrah was too much for the Aussies to handle and set up a historic test series triumph down under.

Rishabh Pant – 89 in Brisbane (2021)

The most recent performance in this list is Rishabh Pant’s 89 in Brisbane which is fresh in cricket fans’ memories. Rishabh Pant broke the Australian spirit, chasing down a 300+ total in the fourth inning at the Aussie fortress and etched his name as the greatest Indian wicket-keeper batsman in test cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar – 241 in Sydney (2004)

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar displayed incredible discipline for a long period of time. Before this marathon knock of 241 in Sydney (2004), Tendulkar was having trouble playing off-side deliveries and getting out in a similar fashion. The master blaster refrained from playing off drives throughout and anchored India’s response to Australia’s total to help secure a draw. It is the highest Test score by an Indian batsman in Australia.

Rahul Dravid – 233 in Adelaide (2003)

Rahul Dravid is regarded as one of India’s best batsmen in test format. His knock of 233 in Adelaide helped set up a rare India win on Australian shores and is regarded as one of the best-ever performances in Australia.

Virat Kohli – 115 & 141 in Adelaide (2014)

Virat Kohli, the run machine, was at his very best in Adelaide 2014 test against Australia. King Kohli slammed twin centuries, shrugging pressure off one on his captaincy debut, and almost guided India to win.

Ajit Agarkar – 6/41 (2003)

Ajit Agarkar produced one of the best bowling spells by an Indian fast bowler in Australia. The match-winning 6-wicket haul in Adelaide stunned Aussies and the match ended in a memorable win for India.

Most Test Runs by Indian batsmen in Australia

(BGT Trophy – Since the start of 1996)

Player	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	SR	100	50
Virat Kohli	14	1457	169	56.03	53.98	7	4
Sachin Tendulkar	15	1441	241*	55.42	58.81	4	7
VVS Laxman	15	1236	178	44.14	52.28	4	4
Rahul Dravid	15	1143	233	43.96	39.79	1	6
Cheteshwar Pujara	11	993	193	47.28	37.37	3	5
Virender Sehwag	10	948	195	47.40	73.65	2	4
Ajinkya Rahane	12	884	147	42.09	53.47	2	4
Sourav Ganguly	11	696	144	34.80	58.98	1	4
Rishabh Pant	8	662	159*	55.16	69.90	1	2
Murali Vijay	6	531	144	44.25	50.14	1	4

Most Test Wickets by Indian bowlers in Australia

(BGT Trophy – Since the start of 1996)

Player	Matches	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Average	SR	5-wickets	10-wickets
Anil Kumble	10	49	8/141	12/279	37.73	65.3	4	1
Jasprit Bumrah	8	40	6/33	9/86	18.80	45.7	2	0
R Ashwin	10	39	4/55	6/149	42.15	86.2	0	0
Mohammed Shami	8	31	6/56	6/136	32.16	54.2	2	0
Ishant Sharma	13	31	4/41	6/155	48.54	87.9	0	0
Umesh Yadav	10	31	5/93	7/176	44.22	60.6	1	0
Ajit Agarkar	7	27	6/41	8/160	35.07	58.4	1	0
Zaheer Khan	7	25	5/95	7/130	35.08	58.0	1	0
Mohammed Siraj	4	18	5/73	6/150	25.27	53.7	1	0
Ravindra Jadeja	4	14	4/62	5/127	21.78	54.2	0	0