The rivalry between India and Australia is one of the greatest stories in the history of cricket. Down the years, the two giants have faced off in matches that have had ferocity, controversy, and standout performances. Whether it’s the theater of Test cricket or the fireworks of limited-overs action, each India vs. Australia series adds another chapter of excitement to the history of cricket.
Let’s rank the top five best series that shaped this passionate rivalry of respect.
1. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2001 – The Miracle at Eden Gardens
Result: India won 2–1
Highlight: Follow-on victory at Kolkata
The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a landmark moment in Indian cricket. Australia, led by Steve Waugh, came to India off the back of a record 16-match winning streak and steamrolled India in the first Test at Mumbai. The second test at Eden Gardens looked as though it was heading the same way when India was forced to follow on, but what followed is the stuff of legend.
VVS Laxman’s brilliant 281 and Rahul Dravid’s defiant 180 made cricket comeback history. India, after following on, won the Test by 171 runs after Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick and inspired bowling. The momentum carried on into Chennai, where India won the series 2–1 in a dramatic series finale.
The victory wasn’t just a series win; it was the first time India thought they could defeat the giants.
2. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018–19 – India’s Historic Win Down Under
Result: India 2-1
Highlight: First Test Series Win in Australia
Eighteen years later, India returned to rewrite history, this time on Australian soil. Under the attack-minded leadership of Virat Kohli, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.
Cheteshwar Pujara was the bedrock, accumulating three centuries, while Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery quick bowling and Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting proved too much for the Australians to overcome. Despite being without Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia gave it their all, but it was India’s discipline and confidence that proved too much.
This series win signified generational change. India was no challengers any longer; they were the winners away from home.
“Pujara’s patience, Kohli’s intensity, and Bumrah’s brilliance—this is the perfect formula for history.”
3. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020–21 – The Gabba Glory
Result: India achieved victory with a score of 2–1
Highlight: Fortress Gabba breached after 32 years
While the victory in 2018–19 was historic, the victory in 2020–21 was mythic. After being bowled out for 36 at Adelaide, India faced a mountain of obstacles: injury to players, no Kohli, and Australia selecting a full-strength side.
Under the cool captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, India met the challenge with gusto, winning in Melbourne, drawing heroically in Sydney, and then defeating Australia at Gabba, the scene of such an event for 32 years prior.
Rishabh Pant’s cavalier 89, Shardul Thakur’s counter-attacking 67*, and Washington Sundar’s all-round performance wrapped it in a fairytale finish.
“36 all out to Gabba glory. This wasn’t just a victory; this was a victory of spirit.”
4. CB Series 2007–08 – Dhoni’s Young Guns Conquer Australia
Result: India crowned the Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series Champions
Highlight: Sachin’s twin masterclass in the series finals
Coming in the wake of the “Monkeygate” Test series controversy earlier in the season, the 2007-08 Commonwealth Bank ODI series was filled with emotion. India, under the new captain MS Dhoni, was a team chasing a new future and ushering in new faces, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, and Praveen Kumar featured prominently, among others.
India had beaten Australia 2-0 in the best-of-three finals, thanks to two masterclasses from Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 117* at Sydney and 91 at Brisbane. The bowling attack of Praveen Kumar’s swing and Ishant Sharma’s pace kept the Australians quiet.
It was a watershed moment: the emergence of a vibrant, fearless Indian side willing to compete with anyone, anywhere.
“Dhoni’s calm leadership matched with Sachin’s poise, and a new era of Indian cricket was born.”
5. ODI Series 2013 – Run-Fest Extravaganza
Result: India won 3–2
Highlight: Rohit Sharma’s double century and record chases
The 2013 India-Australia ODI series was great entertainment, a run-fest that transformed the modern landscape of one-day cricket. For the entirety of the series, batsmen dominated in extreme television fashion, with no fewer than eight totals in excess of 300 in seven matches.
The defining and climactic moment of the series came in Bengaluru when Rohit Sharma scored a historic 209 to become only the third man in history to reach a double century in an ODI. With assistance from Virat Kohli’s quick centuries and Shikhar Dhawan’s solidity, India successfully chased outrageous targets to solidify the series, 3-2.
For their part, George Bailey and James Faulkner gave competitive performances with big hitting for Australia.
“It is hard to imagine the series in cricket as theater; this was fireworks, loud, great, and unforgettable.”
The Legacy of the Rivalry
The India vs. Australia rivalry has transitioned from heated battles to fierce admiration. Originally one of contrasting cultures, Australia’s attitude versus India’s attitude, it has transitioned to a contest of equals. Each test match has offered us new heroes and memorable images:
- Laxman and Dravid’s resistance in 2001,
- Kohli’s captaincy in 2018,
- Pant’s gumption in 2021,
- Dhoni’s brilliance in 2008,
- Rohit’s explosive double in 2013
These test matches go beyond wins and losses to shape the fabric of the modern-day game; they have pushed both teams to new heights and inspired generations of players to play aggressively, fearlessly, and passionately.
Conclusion
From Eden Gardens to the Gabba, from Sachin’s silken cover drives to Pant’s fearless strokeplay, India-next-Australia has given the game of cricket some of its most treasured memories.
It is more than rivals being; it is a story that includes respect, redemption, and rivalry. Each time these two flutes clash in cricket, there will not only be competition, but there will also be a sense of history being made anew.