The India vs Australia Test series is one of cricket’s most intense rivalries, spanning nearly 80 years of Test cricket excellence. Since their first encounter in 1947, India and Australia have played 112 Test matches against each other.
In these 112 matches, Australia has won 48 games while India has claimed 33 victories. A total of 30 matches have ended in draws, with one match being tied.
The rivalry truly elevated after 1996 when the series was officially named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, honoring two legendary captains.
Both Allan Border of Australia and Sunil Gavaskar of India were the first cricketers to score 10,000 Test runs in their respective careers.
| Statistic | Value |
| Total Test Matches | 112 |
| Australia Wins | 48 |
| India Wins | 33 |
| Drawn Matches | 30 |
| Tied Matches | 1 |
| Years Span | 1947-2025 |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy Editions | 17 |
| India Series Wins (BGT era) | 10 |
| Australia Series Wins (BGT era) | 6 |
The Early Years: India vs Australia Test Series (1947-1995)
The India vs Australia Test series began in November 1947, just months after India’s independence. India’s first official cricket tour of Australia resulted in a 4-0 defeat, establishing Australia’s early dominance.
Key Characteristics of This Era:
- Australia dominated with 7 of 12 series wins
- India won only 1 series before Border-Gavaskar Trophy began
- Australia’s pace bowlers (Lindwall, Miller) dominated Indian batsmen
- India’s batsmen struggled with fast bowling conditions
For the first 50 years, Australia held a commanding advantage in the rivalry. The hosts won consistently, establishing themselves as Test cricket’s dominant force.
India’s overseas performance remained a challenge during these decades. Batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and bowlers like Bishan Bedi emerged, but India struggled to compete consistently on Australian soil.
The 1986 series at Madras produced a historic tied Test match. This was only the second tied Test in cricket history, showing the growing competitiveness of India’s cricket team.
By 1996, India had won only one series against Australia before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy began. This set the stage for a remarkable transformation in the rivalry’s dynamics.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy Era Begins (1996-2005)
The India vs Australia Test series took a new shape in 1996 when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was formally established. India won the inaugural one-off Test at Delhi under Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy.
| Year | Venue | Winner | Series Result | Highlight |
| 1996-97 | India | India | 1-0 | Inaugural BGT, Mongia’s 152 |
| 1997-98 | India | India | 2-1 | Tendulkar’s 155 in Chennai |
| 1999-00 | Australia | Australia | 3-0 | Dominant whitewash |
| 2000-01 | India | India | 2-1 | Laxman’s 281, Harbhajan’s 32 wkts |
| 2003-04 | Australia | Draw | 1-1 | India retains trophy |
| 2004-05 | Australia | Australia | 2-1 | Australia’s only away win |
The 1997-98 series featured the legendary “Sachin vs Warne” matchup. Tendulkar scored a memorable 155 in Chennai while Shane Warne mesmerized batsmen across the series.
Australia claimed their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 1999-2000 with a dominant 3-0 whitewash. Glenn McGrath’s pace bowling and Warne’s spin created an almost impenetrable attack.
The 2000-01 series marked India’s first comeback, with VVS Laxman scoring an unbeaten 281 and Harbhajan Singh taking 32 wickets. This remains one of cricket’s greatest Test series turnarounds.
Australia’s 2004-05 victory in Australia marked their only bilateral series win on Indian soil. Ricky Ponting’s captaincy and sustained excellence made that tour special.
Australia’s Dominance: 2007-2014
From 2007 to 2014, Australia controlled the India vs Australia Test series narrative. Steve Waugh’s successors continued the tradition of excellence in Test cricket.
The 2007-08 series in India featured the infamous “Monkeygate” controversy involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. Despite the controversy, Australia won 2-0, establishing their all-format dominance.
Australia whitewashed India 4-0 at home in 2011-12, with Steve Smith and other emerging talents showcasing Australian cricket’s depth. This period cemented Australia’s status as Test cricket’s benchmark.
For historical match details and player statistics, visit ESPNcricinfo’s comprehensive records for complete archives and analysis.
Michael Clarke’s captaincy maintained this winning streak. Australia won again in 2012-13 with another 4-0 whitewash, their second perfect series at home.
India’s performance in these years remained inconsistent abroad, though they showed promise at home. The gap between the two sides seemed insurmountable during this era.
India’s Rise: The Turning Point (2010-2023)
India’s 2010-11 tour marked a watershed moment. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, India won 2-0 in a four-match series, claiming their first overseas series victory against Australia.
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The 2012-13 home series saw MS Dhoni score 224 runs as captain, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record. India claimed a remarkable 4-0 whitewash, the first time they won four consecutive Test matches.
Virat Kohli’s appointment as captain in 2014 ushered in a new era. India’s 2016-17 home series victory featured Ravichandran Ashwin taking 25 wickets as India dominated on home soil.
India’s 2018-19 away victory in Australia broke their 20-year drought against Australia on foreign soil. This series showcased India’s batting adaptation and bowling excellence under pressure.
The 2020-21 series produced the “Miracle at the Gabba.” Despite being routed 36 all out in Adelaide, India bounced back and won 2-1, with Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 sealing the victory.
India won four consecutive series from 2016 to 2023, establishing themselves as serious Test cricket contenders. This dominance lasted until Australia reclaimed the trophy in 2024-25.
Recent Series: Australia’s 2024-25 Comeback
Australia reclaimed the India vs Australia Test series trophy in 2024-25 with a 3-1 victory. This was the first time the series extended to five Test matches, showcasing its growing importance.
Pat Cummins’ captaincy proved decisive as Australia’s pace attack dismantled India’s batting lineup. Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Josh Hazlewood maintained relentless pressure throughout the series.
Jasprit Bumrah emerged as India’s standout performer with 32 wickets across five matches. Despite India’s loss, Bumrah’s bowling performance ranks among cricket’s greatest individual efforts.
This victory reset the rivalry dynamics after India’s dominance. Australia’s return to the trophy highlighted the series’ competitive nature and unpredictability.
Memorable Moments in India vs Australia Test Series History
2001 Kolkata Test
- Harbhajan Singh’s historic hat-trick
- Ended Australia’s 16-match winning streak
- One of cricket’s greatest turnarounds
2003-04 Series in Australia
- Sourav Ganguly’s defensive captaincy shone
- Rahul Dravid’s masterful batting
- India retained trophy away from home (1-1 draw)
2020-21 Gabba Test
- India chased 329 runs at Brisbane
- Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 clinched victory
- Only third team to win after following on
2024-25 Series in Australia
- Jasprit Bumrah’s record 32-wicket performance
- Australia’s pace attack dominance
- Five-match format inaugural edition
Individual Legends of India vs Australia Test Series
India’s Greatest Performers
- Sachin Tendulkar: 3,630 runs (74 innings, avg 55.00)
- Virat Kohli: 2,000+ runs with consistent match-winning performances
- Ravichandran Ashwin: Multiple series with 25+ wicket hauls
- Rishabh Pant: Modern-era aggressive batting, Gabba hero
Australia’s Greatest Performers
- Steve Smith: Consistent batsman in recent years
- Ricky Ponting: Historical dominance (2000s-2010s)
- Glenn McGrath: Early 2000s pace bowling mastery
- Mitchell Starc: Recent-era death bowling excellence
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in the India vs Australia Test series, scoring 3,630 runs across 74 innings at an average of 55.00. His mastery against Australian pace bowling was unparalleled.
Virat Kohli has accumulated over 2,000 runs in India vs Australia matches, showcasing consistent excellence against the best bowling attacks. His captaincy transformed India’s overseas record dramatically.
Steve Smith has been Australia’s principal batsman in recent series, accumulating runs consistently despite India’s improvements. Smith’s technique against Indian spinners remains exceptional.
Ravichandran Ashwin became India’s bowling architect, taking 25 wickets in the 2016-17 series at home. His off-break bowling on turning pitches proved devastating.
Jasprit Bumrah’s 32 wickets in 2024-25 represent modern Test cricket’s bowling excellence. His yorkers and variations trouble even the best Australian batsmen.
Head-to-Head Records and Statistics
| Format | Total Matches | Australia Wins | India Wins | Drawn |
| Test Cricket | 112 | 48 | 33 | 30 |
| One-Day Internationals | 151 | 84 | 57 | 10 |
| Twenty20 Internationals | 32 | 11 | 20 | 1 |
Australia has historically dominated the overall head-to-head record. However, India’s performance has improved significantly in recent years across all formats.
In Test cricket specifically, Australia’s 48 wins represent their historical superiority. India’s 33 Test wins show remarkable progress since 2010, with most recent victories occurring in the last 15 years.
The one-day format shows Australia’s dominance with 84 wins. India has competed closely in recent World Cups, winning the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia.
India leads in T20 cricket with 20 wins against Australia’s 11. This format has seen India’s explosive batting and bowling talent shine consistently.
The Future of India vs Australia Test Series History
The India vs Australia Test series continues to evolve as both nations develop new talent and tactical approaches. The 2024-25 Australia victory shows the rivalry remains competitive.
Future series will determine whether India maintains recent dominance or Australia sustains their comeback momentum. Both teams have invested heavily in Test cricket development.
The rivalry transcends cricket statistics. It represents the clash of two cricket cultures, playing styles, and philosophies that define Test cricket’s evolution.
The story of India vs Australia Test series history continues with each new match. Both nations remain committed to elevating this rivalry globally.
FAQs
When did India play their first Test match against Australia?
India played their first Test match against Australia in November 1947, just after independence. The series resulted in a 4-0 defeat for India across five matches.
Which series is considered the greatest India vs Australia Test series?
The 2001 series in India is widely considered the greatest. India came back from being 0-1 down to win 2-1, ending Australia’s 16-match winning streak with Laxman’s 281.
How many times has India won a Test series in Australia?
India has won a Test series in Australia exactly twice. They won in 2018-19 and 2020-21, with the 2020-21 victory being the legendary Gabba chase.
Who holds the record for most runs in India vs Australia Tests?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 3,630 runs across 74 innings at an average of 55.00. Virat Kohli follows with over 2,000 runs in the rivalry.
Has Australia ever lost a Test series at home to India?
Australia has never lost a Test series at home to India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history. However, India drew and retained the trophy in 2003-04.
What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is named after Allan Border of Australia and Sunil Gavaskar of India. Both were the first cricketers to score 10,000 Test runs.
How many Border-Gavaskar Trophy series have been played?
Seventeen Border-Gavaskar Trophy series have been contested from 1996 to 2025. India has won 10 series while Australia has won 6, with 1 ending in draw.
What happened in the Miracle at the Gabba?
In 2020-21, India chased down 329 runs at the Gabba in Brisbane. Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 sealed India’s historic 2-1 series victory in Australia.
