New Delhi: The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to conclude in the next three days, with the five-match Test series between Australia and India nearing its exciting finale.
As the series approaches its climax, let’s take a look at what the Border-Gavaskar Trophy truly represents. The BGT is a prestigious Test cricket series played between India and Australia, named after two cricketing legends Australia’s Allan Border and India’s Sunil Gavaskar. The series is part of the International Cricket Council‘s future tours programme and has become one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the sport.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is the iconic Test series between two modern-day cricket powerhouses, India and Australia. It first began during the 1996-97 season when India hosted Australia for a single Test match in Delhi.
However, this wasn’t the first time the two teams faced off. The first Test between India and Australia dates back to the 1935-36 season, long before India gained independence. The series was officially named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 1996-97, in honor of the legendary cricketers Allan Border of Australia and Sunil Gavaskar of India, both of whom were pivotal figures in their respective teams.
Since its inception, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been contested in alternate editions between India and Australia, with roughly a 1.5-year gap between each series. Over the years, the rivalry has produced some unforgettable moments, such as India’s famous victory at Eden Gardens in 2001, the dramatic triumph at the Gabba in 2021, and Australia’s dominant 4-0 whitewash on home soil.
The only instance since 1991/92 when the trophy wasn’t up for grabs was in 2023, when the two teams faced off in the final of the World Test Championship‘s second edition at The Oval in England. Australia triumphed in that encounter, claiming the WTC title for the first time in their history.
Ahead of the 17th edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India holds the distinction of being the more successful team in the rivalry. They have won 10 series, with their dominance stretching over 8 consecutive years as the current holders of the trophy.
Australia’s last series win in the BGT came in the 2014/15 edition, where they clinched a 2-0 victory in a fiercely contested battle.
As we approaching the conclusion of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sachin Tendulkar remains the top run-scorer in the series, with an impressive 3262 runs in 65 innings at an average of 56.24. For Australia, Ricky Ponting leads with 2555 runs in 51 innings, averaging 57.70.
Among current players, Cheteshwar Pujara has accumulated 2033 runs in 43 innings at an average of 50.82, while Steve Smith has scored 1887 runs in 35 innings, with a remarkable average of 65.05
Australia’s Nathan Lyon holds the record for the most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with an impressive 116 wickets in 47 innings. His counterpart, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, is not far behind, sitting in second place with 114 wickets in 42 innings, just two wickets shy of Lyon. Ashwin’s remarkable achievement comes in five fewer innings, showcasing his consistency and impact in the rivalry.
