Border Gavaskar Trophy: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, named in honor of legendary cricketers Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar, has evolved into one of cricket’s most fiercely contested series.
Over the last decade, the Test series between India and Australia has been marked by high-stakes moments, inspiring comebacks, and unforgettable individual performances.
As the two cricket giants prepare for another intense battle, let’s revisit the last five series, each reflecting a unique chapter of resilience, competition, and excitement.
Table of Contents
2014/15: Kohli’s Captaincy Debut and Australia’s Home Dominance
The 2014/15 series in Australia was a four-Test battle that came in the wake of the tragic passing of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes. Australia’s victory by 2-0 doesn’t tell the full story of a hard-fought series that saw India put up a strong resistance under the fresh captaincy of Virat Kohli.
- Series Overview: MS Dhoni missed the first Test in Adelaide, which handed Kohli the reins for the first time. Kohli immediately made his presence felt, scoring centuries in both innings of the match. Despite India’s spirited chase, Australia clinched victory by just 48 runs.
- Turning Points: Australia went up 2-0 with another win in Brisbane. In Melbourne, however, India managed to draw the third Test. This game saw MS Dhoni’s surprise retirement announcement from Test cricket, paving the way for Kohli’s official appointment as captain.
- Key Performers: Kohli’s 692 runs for the series cemented his place as a dependable leader, while Steve Smith’s 769 runs showcased his masterclass batting on home turf.
- Series Outcome: Australia’s 2-0 win extended their home dominance, but Kohli’s captaincy debut and batting heroics hinted at a new era for Indian cricket.
2016/17: A Closely Fought 2-1 Victory for India at Home
The 2016/17 series brought Australia back to India, with Steve Smith at the helm. This series turned out to be a nail-biting, see-saw battle that highlighted the strengths of both teams and went down to the wire.
- Series Kickoff: Australia started with a surprising blow in Pune, defeating India by a staggering 333 runs. Steven O’Keefe’s 12-wicket haul left the Indian batsmen struggling, marking India’s first home loss in 19 matches.
- India’s Comeback: With their backs against the wall, India clawed back in the second Test in Bangalore, with KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara delivering critical performances. The bowlers, particularly Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, stepped up to level the series.
- Decisive Moments: A hard-fought draw in Ranchi, thanks to Pujara’s marathon double-century, set the stage for a finale in Dharamsala. Here, Rahane led India to an eight-wicket victory to seal the series.
- Series Outcome: India won 2-1 in an intense, unforgettable series. Pujara’s patient innings and Ashwin and Jadeja’s bowling were pivotal in turning the tide.
India’s historic first series victory in Australia in 2018–19
The 2018/19 series was a historic one for India, as they recorded their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil. With Australian mainstays David Warner and Steve Smith unavailable due to suspensions, India seized the opportunity to make history.
- Setting the Tone: India took a thrilling victory in the first Test at Adelaide. Despite Australia’s win in Perth to level the series, India regrouped to dominate the Boxing-Day Test in Melbourne.
- Impact Players: Cheteshwar Pujara’s outstanding form saw him accumulate 521 runs, including three centuries, earning him the Player of the Series award. India’s fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, played a crucial role, with Bumrah taking 21 wickets.
- Significance of the Win: India’s 2-1 series win was monumental, marking their first series triumph in Australia. This historic victory became a proud moment for Indian cricket and solidified Virat Kohli’s leadership.
- Series Outcome: India etched their name in history, celebrating their first series win on Australian soil, ending a 71-year wait.
2020/21: The Series of a Lifetime India’s Stunning Comeback
One of the biggest comebacks in Test cricket history will be the 2020–21 series. India’s prospects appeared dire after they were knocked out for a disgraceful 36 runs in Adelaide, and Virat Kohli had left the series for paternity leave. However, an incredible comeback ensued, spearheaded by a number of young players and interim skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
- Adelaide Setback: In the first Test, India’s second-innings collapse left Australia with a win and a firm upper hand.
- Rahane’s Leadership: In Kohli’s absence, Rahane stepped up, scoring a match-winning century in Melbourne to level the series. This victory rejuvenated the Indian side, sparking belief in the squad.
- Key Contributors: Rishabh Pant’s explosive batting, especially his 89 in the final Test at the Gabba, was instrumental. Debutants and young players like Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar also rose to the occasion. In the fourth Test at Brisbane, India chased down 328 runs to seal an iconic series win.
- Series Outcome: India won 2-1, not only retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also breaking Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba. This outstanding triumph demonstrated the depth and tenacity of Indian cricket.
2023–2024: A Tightly Contested Series Sees Spinners Shine
In the latest 2023/24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the spotlight was on spinners, who dominated the series on turning tracks in India. Ashwin and Jadeja’s mastery, combined with Australia’s spin options, made it a series that will be remembered for spin-bowling excellence.
Series Outcome: India won 2-1 and secured a spot in the ICC World Test Championship Final. Australia later claimed the WTC title, but India’s home win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy emphasized their prowess on spin-friendly pitches.
Early Momentum for India: India won the first two Tests comfortably, with Ashwin and Jadeja sharing 47 wickets over the series. Australia’s Nathan Lyon and new spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann also made their mark.
Indore Shock: Just as India seemed poised to sweep the series, Australia bounced back with a nine-wicket win in Indore, thanks to a low-scoring match that saw Australia’s spinners shine.
High-Scoring Finale: The series concluded with a drawn Test in Ahmedabad, where Usman Khawaja, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli all scored centuries, leading to a run-filled draw.
Also Read: Border Gavaskar Trophy
Source: ICC
What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a Test cricket series between India and Australia, named after legends Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. It has become one of the sport’s most competitive series.
When did India first win a Test series in Australia?
India won their first-ever Test series in Australia during the 2018/19 season under Virat Kohli’s leadership, achieving a historic 2-1 victory.
Who scored the most runs in a single Border-Gavaskar series?
Steve Smith scored 769 runs in the 2014/15 series, the most by any player in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
How did India respond to their lowest Test score in the 2020/21 series?
After being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, India mounted an extraordinary comeback to win the series 2-1 under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership.
Which bowlers dominated the 2023/24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for India, and Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matthew Kuhnemann for Australia, played major roles, taking the majority of the series wickets.
