IND vs AUS Test – A Legendary Rivalry That Defines Modern Test Cricket

Not many rivalries in world cricket can boast of the fire, passion and glory that the IND vs AUS Test series brings with itself. When India plays Australia, in the most pristine format of the game, it is about skill and grit and drama at its purest. This rivalry, over the years, has built careers and rewritten records; it has also produced some of Test cricket’s most thrilling moments.

The full history of the India vs Australia Test series, including runs, high scores and comparison with other iconic rivalries – Updated until after 2024-25 Test series.

IND vs AUS Head-to-Head Record

Early Years (1947–1980): Australia’s Era of Dominance

The rivalry was born in the 1947–48 Test series when India toured Australia for the first time after Independence. The hosts were brutal under the leadership of Don Bradman. India, a new entrant to international cricket, struggled on the fast and bouncy pitches.

Australia continued its dominance over the next couple of decades too, with legends such as Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson and Doug Walters among others at the forefront. For India, it was Polly Umrigar and Vijay Hazare to save the blushes, later followed by Sunil Gavaskar who provided flashes of brilliance in home conditions.

After a few near misses, the 1979-80 home series was to be India’s watershed test victory against Australia and hence one of starting points.

The 1990s: New Generation, New Intensity

By the 90s, the rivalry became heated. India had stars including Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Anil Kumble, while Australia had legends in Steve Waugh, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

The Test in Chennai in 1998, was symbolic of India’s increasing might at home. Tendulkar’s assault on Warne was one of the finest batting performances in Test history. India got into the habit of regularly challenging Australia at home and away.

The Turning Point – 2001 Border-Gavaskar Series

India 2001: The true scripts of Test history were reversed. After losing the series-opener in Mumbai, India came back from the dead to win a near-impossible match in Kolkata on the shoulders of VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180). In the follow-up, India posted a huge target and bowled out Australia on Day 5 for one of their most memorable wins in Test cricket.

India claimed the Chennai Test to take the series 2–1 – ending Australia’s record breaking streak of 16 wins. That win changed the image of India and also fired up a fresh edition of an IND vs AUS Test rivalry.

2004–2017: The Trophy That Changed Hands

The early 2000s saw competitive cricket on both sides. Australia, under Ricky Ponting and later Michael Clarke, dominated at home, while India under Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and later Virat Kohli defended their fortress in the subcontinent.

Some iconic series from this period include:

• 2003–04 (Australia): India drew 1–1; Dravid’s Adelaide double century sealed India’s first win on Australian soil in two decades.
• 2008 (Australia): The controversial Sydney Test (Monkeygate scandal) intensified the rivalry like never before.
• 2010 & 2013 (India): Dominant Indian victories on spinning tracks.
• 2014–15 (Australia): Virat Kohli’s twin centuries at Adelaide in his first series as captain showed India’s fearless new approach.

Modern Era (2018–Present): India’s Historic Rise

Australia, however, suffered a defeat to India at home in 2018–19 and once again, two years later.

The 2021 Brisbane Test is etched in history: with Kohli back at home and other players injured, Ajinkya Rahane led a young team to an unlikely 2-1 series win, breaking Australia’s unbroken run of 32 years without a defeat at the Gabba. Overnight, players such as Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj acquired hero status.

Those wins made India the first Asian side to win consecutive Test series in Australia – a record you can’t put a price on, and which no other team looks likely to match any time soon.

2024–25 Series: Australia Regain Control

Top 10 Test Matches (Recent Results)

Key Rivalry Stats

Tactical Trends

1. Spin vs Pace:
   India thrives with its spinners at home (Ashwin, Jadeja), while Australia dominates with pace in their conditions (Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood).
   
2. Fitness & Fielding:
   The modern rivalry is as much about athleticism and workload management as skill.
   
3. Mental Toughness:
   Whether it’s the sledging in Sydney or silence at the Gabba, both teams play with immense psychological warfare.
   
4. Home Advantage:
   Historically decisive – but India’s 2018–21 overseas victories proved they can now win anywhere.

Iconic IND vs AUS Test Moments

• Laxman & Dravid’s Miracle (Kolkata, 2001) – Turned a follow-on into a famous win.
• Ishant Sharma’s Spell to Ponting (Perth, 2008) – Sparked India’s confidence overseas.
• Rishabh Pant’s Gabba Chase (2021) – A modern-day classic that stunned Australia.
• Starc’s Pink Ball Magic (Adelaide, 2024) – Swinging brilliance under lights.
• Kohli’s Twin Tons (Adelaide, 2014) – Symbol of fearless Indian cricket.

Future Rivalry

The next IND vs AUS Test cricket is looking even more exciting. With both sides packing talent for the future in Shubman Gill, Cameron Green or Yashasvi Jaiswal and the next Border–Gavaskar Trophy heading to India at the end of 2026 fans can look forward to another epic battle in Test cricket.

IND vs AUS Test: All Series Result

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• India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
• Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Timeline
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings Timeline
• England Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline