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The Australia vs. India rivalry is now one of the best cricket stories, filled with passion, drama, and some memorable performances. It is always guaranteed that a fierce war will be fought throughout the battlefield whenever these two opponents meet, as pride, talent, and strategy come into play.
That rivalry has built legends and set records, and each side has felt passion over the decades. Cricket fans still remember the tied tests, the improbable comebacks, and the brutal partnerships that marked this fight. This timeline shows you the defining moments that made Australia vs. India one of cricket’s most-followed rivalries.
1947-1980: Early Days and Australia’s Strong Start
India’s first-ever encounter came against Australia, which was during India’s 1947 tour when they played a five-test series. Australia was really strong and won the series 4-0. India managed an escape, though, a draw in the second Test at Sydney.
Australia arrived in India for a three-test series in 1969, and the visitors won the series 3-1. India lost the series. But players like Bishan Singh Bedi and Eknath Solkar showed that India has talent and can punch back.
These initial years were largely dominated by Australia, which had better bowling, fielding, and experience.
1980: India Start to Fight Back
The 1980s marked a turning point. Australia started to face a more serious challenge from India. One of the more renowned matches was in 1986 during the Chennai test, which concluded in a tie. It was only the second-tied test match in the history of cricket, and it proved how closely matched these two teams were.
For India, there were the emerging stars Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar. They made matches against Australia even more exciting.
1990s: Sachin Tendulkar and Australia
After all, the 1990s brought Sachin Tendulkar as one of Australia’s most difficult opponents. Fans still remember his excellent batting in Australia during the 1992 Perth Test and the 1998 Sharjah Cup.
In this period, although Australia was stronger, with fantastic players like Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath, India was no longer a team you would beat easily.
2000s: Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Great Battles
After almost 10 years, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was founded in 1996, named after two legends of the game, Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. This made the needle even sharper and grander.
Big Moments
- 2001 Kolkata Test: India made one of the best comebacks in cricket. After being made to follow and bat a day long in innings, VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul David (180). India went on to win the match and then the series.
- 2003-04 Series in Australia: The series was drawn 1-1, an excellent overseas performance by India.
- 2008 Sydney Test: Poor umpiring and heated exchanges between the players will go down in history as this match highlights. They strained the teams’ relationships to some extent.
2010: India Triumphs in Australia
This decade saw India finally striding to victory in Australia:
Key Series
- 2018-19 Test Series: India won a Test tour of Australia (2-1), being the first Asian team to do so. Virat Kohli was the captain, Cheteshwar Pujara the big run-scorer, and Jasprit Bumrah was the bowler who was at his brilliant best.
- 2020-21 Test Series: India was bowled out for just 36 in the first Test but retaliated against a second-string team and won the series 2-1. Rishabh Pant scored a match-winning innings at the Gabba (Brisbane), ending the Australians’ nerves about winning in that venue.
These series demonstrated that India could compete and win in difficult conditions away from home.
2024-2025: The Battle Wages On
2024 Series:
It was a five-match test series in Australia that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Australia had won in Melbourne and Sydney, but India put up a brave fight, with a victory in Adelaide and a draw in Brisbane. It was a close final score, a reminder of how evenly matched the teams had grown.
2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
It was time for Australia to lift the trophy. Travis Head and Scott Boland, among others, played a pivotal role. Under pressure against India’s batting line-up, the fast bowlers loomed, particularly in swinging and seaming conditions.
Head to Head: Stats Summary (as of 2025)
Here is a look at how the two teams match up across all formats of the game:
| Format | Matches Played | Australia Wins | India Wins | Draw/Tie/No/Result |
| Tests | 108 | 45 | 32 | 31 |
| ODIs | 150+ | 82 | 58 | 10 |
| T20Is | 30+ | 12 | 18 | – |
The numbers are rounded and are based on available records through early 2025.
Why is This Rivalry Special?
- Memorable Contests: There has never been a lack of epic moments, from the one-off ties Test in 1986 to the Kolkata miracle in 2001.
- Star Players: The great Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, MS Dhoni, Brett Lee, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith have donned the cap.
- Home & Away Drama: This rivalry is a little more mutual than it used to be. Both teams have won a series in the other’s country.
- All the fans: The matches are always energetic, as the comparison is between the two teams and the fans who play for each other.
Bottom Line
India and Australia have forged one of cricket’s most heated and storied rivalries, which is characterized by determination and immortal performances. Both teams have shown that going forward, one side of the ledger can be flipped at any point in this series as each side adds another chapter. The passion among the players and the crowds guarantees that the contest will always be a prize in the cricket calendar.
FAQs
When did India win its first Test series in Australia?
The first Test series victory for India in Australia was in 2018-19. The team won the series 2-1 under Virat Kohli's captainship.
What was special about the 2001 Kolkata Test?
India, having followed on, achieved a record recovery in the form of a 376-run partnership between Laxman and Dravid. They won the match and the series.
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