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 4/63India 1st Innings: 361 (131.4 overs) – Nayan Mongia 152Australia 2nd innings: 234 (108.3 overs) – Anil Kumble 5/67India 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.
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