Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline – A Rivalry for the Ages
The rivalry between the Australian Men’s Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team is one of the most thrilling narratives in international cricket. Spanning over seven decades, this intense sporting battle has delivered unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and a fierce spirit of competition across all formats. From Sir Donald Bradman’s dominance in the 1940s to India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2020–21, every encounter has added a new chapter to this epic saga. What began as a lopsided affair has evolved into a high-stakes contest between two of the world’s cricketing Sports giants. Whether it’s battling in the heat of Mumbai or under the lights in Melbourne, the stakes are always high when India meets Australia. The evolution of this rivalry reflects the changing dynamics of world cricket and continues to captivate fans with drama, passion, and unmatched skill every time the two teams clash.
Timeline of India vs Australia Cricket Rivalry
1947–48: First-Ever Series – India Tours Australi
- Series: India’s first-ever Test tour to Australia
- Key Highlight: Sir Donald Bradman scores 715 runs in the series
- Result: Australia won 4–0
- This was a baptism by fire for the newly formed Indian team. Facing Bradman and company on fast bouncy wickets was a steep learning curve.
1956: Australia Visits India
- Series Result: India loses the 3-Test series 2–0
- Australia proved too dominant in subcontinental conditions.
1964: First Drawn Series
- Result: 1–1 draw
- India won their first-ever Test match against Australia in Mumbai. This series marked the beginning of India as a serious competitor.
1977–78: Australia Wins Close Contest 3–2
- Location: Australia
- Despite missing many key players due to World Series Cricket, Australia managed to edge past India in a closely contested 5-Test series.
1981: The Melbourne Miracle
- Key Moment: India wins the Melbourne Test in dramatic fashion
- Series Result: 1–1
- Kapil Dev’s heroic bowling effort turned the tide for India in the third Test.
1991–92: Tendulkar Arrives
- Key Moment: A young Sachin Tendulkar scores his first century in Australia at the age of 18 in Perth
- Series Result: Australia wins 4–0
- Although the result was one-sided, the world took notice of Tendulkar’s brilliance.
1996: World Cup Showdown
- Event: ICC Cricket World Cup
- Result: Australia wins by 16 runs
- This marked the beginning of intense ODI clashes between the two sides.
1998: Desert Storm & Tendulkar’s Dominance
- Location: Sharjah
- Highlight: Tendulkar’s back-to-back centuries against Australia in the Coca-Cola Cup
- India wins the final, establishing Sachin as Australia’s biggest nemesis in ODIs.
2000–01: The Greatest Test Series in History
- Key Moment: VVS Laxman’s 281 and India’s comeback at Eden Gardens
- Result: India wins the 3-Test series 2–1
- This iconic series snapped Australia’s 16-match winning streak and is widely considered one of the greatest ever.
2003–04: Competitive Draw in Australia
- Key Players: Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Sehwag
- Result: 1–1 Draw
- Dravid’s 233 in Adelaide and India’s fighting spirit stunned the hosts.
2007–08: Monkeygate & Controversy
- Key Event: “Monkeygate” incident between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds
- Result: Australia won the controversial Sydney Test; India won in Perth
- The series ended 2–1 in favor of Australia but left a sour taste.
2010–2013: India’s Home Dominance
- 2010: India wins a Test series at home 2–0
- 2013: India whitewashes Australia 4–0, with Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin dominating
2014–15: Test Series Post Hughes Tragedy
- Event: Played in the shadow of Phillip Hughes’ tragic death
- Result: Australia wins 2–0
- Virat Kohli’s four centuries in four Tests stunned the Aussies and signaled a new Indian leader.
2017: India’s Home Victory Again
- Result: India wins 2–1 in a tough-fought series
- Highlight: Steve Smith scores a ton; India makes a brilliant comeback after losing the first Test in Pune
2018–19: History Created – India Wins in Australia
- Result: India wins their first-ever Test series in Australia (2–1)
- Captain: Virat Kohli
- Stars: Cheteshwar Pujara, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant
- A historic moment as India conquered Australian soil for the first time.
2020–21: The Gabba Glory
- Result: India wins the series 2–1 again
- Key Highlight: Young and injury-hit Indian team breaches Fortress Gabba
- Rishabh Pant’s fearless innings helped India chase down 328, ending Australia’s 32-year unbeaten run at the venue.
2023: World Test Championship Final
- Event: WTC Final at The Oval, June 2023
- Result: Australia wins
- Despite India’s consistency, Australia dominated the final with superior execution.
2023: ICC ODI World Cup Final
- Location: Ahmedabad
- Result: Australia beats India in front of 120,000 fans
- Highlight: Travis Head’s century and Australia’s 6th World Cup title
- A heartbreak for India after a flawless campaign till the final.
Head-to-Head Record (as of 2025)
Format | Matches | Australia Wins | India Wins | Draw/No Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 106 | 45 | 32 | 29 |
ODI | 150+ | 83 | 57 | 10+ |
T20I | 30+ | Close Contest | Close Contest | – |
Note: Records may vary slightly based on ongoing series.
Key Players Over the Years
Australia:
- Sir Donald Bradman
- Allan Border
- Ricky Ponting
- Steve Waugh
- Michael Clarke
- Steve Smith
- Pat Cummins
- Travis Head
India:
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Kapil Dev
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Rahul Dravid
- Sourav Ganguly
- MS Dhoni
- Virat Kohli
- Rohit Sharma
- Jasprit Bumrah