India vs. Australia has been one of the world’s toughest rivalries in cricket. The Australian team has trouble, aggressive bowlers, and mental toughness to put the best Indian batters under pressure in all formats. However, there have been Indian batters who have consistently performed to a high standard, combining high batting averages and strike rates, making their presence and impact felt, even under pressure.
Let’s examine the most reliable Indian batters who have an excellent record against Australia, both by statistics and performance.
The Most Reliable Indian Players Against Australia by Average and Strike Rate
Virat Kohli
- Test: Batting Average – 46.72 | Strike Rate – 55.00
- ODI: Batting Average – 54.81 | Strike Rate – 96.34
- T20I: Batting Average – 74.70 | Strike Rate – 141.20
Virat Kohli’s statistics against Australia highlight not just his skill but also his own desire to match it. Every time Virat Kohli has chased in ODIs or saved an innings while batting in Tests, he has been relentless in his consistency as a batter. Kohli’s sure-footedness while using complete good fast bowlers, including Australia’s Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, has not only made Kesari tough but is regarded as one of the best test players as well.
Kohli’s revolutionary hundreds at both Adelaide and Melbourne stand as examples of aggressiveness and good shot selection. Kohli balances average and strike rate better than almost anyone, only reaffirming his superiority in all formats while delivering exquisite batting exhibits.
Sachin Tendulkar
- Test: Batting Average – 55.00 | Strike Rate – 55.40
- ODI: Batting Average – 44.59 | Strike Rate – 84.71
- T20I: Data not available
When referring to India and Australia, one cannot exclude the legend, Sachin Tendulkar. For a period of almost twenty years, he was the biggest wicket-taking threat to Australia. He withstood bowlers in an era when players like McGrath, Warne, and Lee all played an essential part in the era of cricket.
The Desert Storm innings in Sharjah (1998) and his immaculate 241* in Sydney (2004) were two of his finest innings, showcasing his brilliance in cricket. Tendulkar was the epitome of patience and timing, significant patience with awesome timing, whilst still maintaining an excellent average and strike rate against the best quality bowlers.
Rohit Sharma
- Test: Batting Average – 28.42 | Strike Rate – 50.37
- ODI: Batting Average – 56.54 | Strike Rate – 93.88
- T20I: Batting Average – 32.00 | Strike Rate – 140.00
Rohit Sharma has improved his performance against Australia over the years. We cannot overlook how he effortlessly hits sixes, and particularly against fast bowling, can be, shall we say, lethal. A remarkable aspect of Rohit’s batting seems to be his ability to turn starts into massive hundreds, as he did with his 209 in Bengaluru against Australia in 2013, and also when he scored a Test century against Australia in Nagpur in 2023. Rohit’s combination of stability (average) and explosiveness (strike rate) provides incredible adaptability, comfort and versatility to either bat forcefully or with poise.
KL Rahul
- Test: Data not available
- ODI: Data not available
- T20I: Batting Average – 37.75 | Strike Rate – 139.00
KL Rahul is seldom the centre of attention, but his history versus Australia speaks for itself as he has played several calm innings under pressure in white-ball cricket. He is just a good temperament batsman who can steer an innings from the beginning to the end. His playing style makes him one of the most technically skilled Indian batsmen.
His ODI innings in Chennai and Bengaluru showed he can obviously steer run chases, with a good blend of controlling aggressive cricket throughout.
Cheteshwar Pujara
- Test: Batting Average – 47.28 | Strike Rate – Data not available
- ODI: Data not available
- T20I: Data not available
In Test cricket, Pujarahas been a greater nuisance than most. There hasn’t been a bowler in cricket in the last few years who has been more tested with Pujara’s concentration and patience. His scoring of over 500 runs in the 2018-19 series is the most of any player in a series was an example of skill, endurance, and technique at the highest level of batting.
Pujara may have a low strike rate, but his ability to consistently and expertly bat for long periods of time makes him one of the greatest assets India has in the longest form of the game.
Shubman Gill
- Test: Batting Average – 35.80 | Strike Rate – 60.10
- ODI: Batting Average – 43.02 | Strike Rate – 93.60
- T20I: Batting Average – 22.89 | Strike Rate – 128.46
Shubman Gill has demonstrated remarkable maturity at this young age. The innings he played at the Gabba in 2021, where he essentially attacked the Australian bowlers, was the moment he established himself as a star. Gill will be an Indian mainstay against Australia going forward, as he has already displayed good aggression and an even temperament.
MS Dhoni
- Test: Batting Average – 38.00 | Strike Rate – 60.29
- ODI: Batting Average – 50.57 | Strike Rate – 87.56
- T20I: Batting Average – 47.86 | Strike Rate – 107.00
MS dhoni relaxed demeanour and astute game understanding made him one of the hardest finishers to contend with against Australia. He often helped India during tense chases with efficient singles and acceleration when required.
His match-winning innings in Adelaide and Mohali are forever remembered as classics. The innings were measured, calm, and match-defining.
Conclusion
Australia has always challenged Indian batters with pace, bounce, and pressure. But great players like Kohli, Tendulkar, Rohit, and Pujara showed great performances too. The consistency of their runs isn’t simply their numbers; it is also the fact that they can play consistently across all conditions, at home or away.
They can play with high averages and effective strike rates, which demonstrates that the truest form of consistency is not just being at the crease for a long time but being able to dictate the pace of the game.
India’s next generation Gill, Rahul, and others are now following that recipe, and in doing so, they ensure the competition between India and Australia remains cricketing magic.