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.
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