The rivalry between the Australian men’s cricket team and the India National Cricket Team is the most prestigious and fierce election in the history of international cricket. Spread over several decades, this cricketing saga has given unforgettable moments, mythological performance and intense competition in all formats -testes, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I). From his first encounter in 1947 to high-voltage modern-day clash, each series added a new chapter to this storage rivalry. This timeline highlights the major milestones, memorable matches and historical series that have defined the battle of cricket between these two powerhouse countries.
Australia vs India Cricket Timeline: A Historic Rivalry Step-by-Step
1947–48: The First Clash
The rivalry between Australia and India began in the 1947–48 Test series when India toured Australia for the first time. Led by Sir Donald Bradman, Australia dominated the five-match series with a 4-0 victory, showcasing their early dominance in international cricket.
1969–70: Australia’s Continued Supremacy
India hosted Australia for a three-Test series, but once again the visitors proved too strong. Australia won the series 3-1, continuing their superiority over the Indian team during the early years of this rivalry.
1977–78: A Close Contest in Australia
India’s tour to Australia featured a thrilling five-Test series. Though the matches were highly competitive, Australia edged out India with a 3-2 series win, maintaining their upper hand.
The Rise of India: The 1980s
1980–81: Historic Victory at MCG
India achieved a milestone by winning their first-ever Test match on Australian soil at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The three-Test series ended in a 1-1 draw, marking India’s growing competitiveness.
1986: The Iconic Tied Test in Chennai
One of the most historic moments in cricket took place in Chennai (then Madras), where India and Australia played out only the second tied Test in cricket history. This match became a symbol of the growing parity between the two teams.
1987: Australia’s Win on Indian Soil
Australia, under the leadership of Allan Border, toured India for a five-Test series. They won the series 2-0, which was a turning point for Australian cricket, marking the emergence of a new dominant era.
The Dominance of Australia: The 1990s
1991–92: A Tough Tour for India
India faced a formidable Australian side during their five-Test series Down Under. Australia won 4-0, with new stars like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath beginning to rise on the international stage.
1996: India’s One-Off Triumph
Australia’s visit to India for a one-off Test in Delhi resulted in a dominant Indian victory. This game reflected India’s growing home dominance and their ability to challenge top teams in familiar conditions.
1999–2000: Australian Whitewash
India toured Australia once again, only to be whitewashed 3-0 in the three-Test series. Australia’s dominance was clear, with their world-class lineup delivering consistent performances.
The Era of Competition: 2000s
2000–01: The Legendary Kolkata Test
This series is widely considered one of the greatest in Test history. After being forced to follow on in the second Test in Kolkata, India staged a dramatic comeback to win the match and eventually clinch the series 2-1, ending Australia’s 16-match winning streak.
2003–04: A Drawn Battle Down Under
India’s tour of Australia resulted in a 1-1 draw in a four-Test series, with strong performances on both sides. This marked India’s increasing competitiveness in overseas conditions.
2007–08: Controversial Yet Competitive
The series in Australia was marred by on-field controversies and poor umpiring, but the cricket remained highly competitive. Australia won the series 2-1, though the games were closely contested.
Recent Battles: The 2010s
2010–11: India Triumphs at Home
India hosted Australia for a two-Test series and won convincingly with a 2-0 result. This series highlighted the strength of India’s new generation of cricketers.
2012–13: India Whitewash Australia
In a dominating home series, India defeated Australia 4-0 in a four-Test series. It was a significant statement of India’s supremacy in home conditions.
2014–15: Australia’s Narrow Edge
The four-Test series in Australia ended in a 2-0 win for the hosts, with two matches ending in draws. It was a competitive series featuring some remarkable individual performances.
2017: India’s Gritty Victory
India hosted Australia and won a closely fought four-Test series 2-1. This series is remembered for its intensity and strategic battles, with Virat Kohli leading from the front.
2018–19: India Creates History
Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India won their first-ever Test series in Australia with a 2-1 score line. This historic achievement signified India’s evolution into a world-class Test side.
2020–21: India’s Miracle Comeback
Despite several injuries and a dramatic collapse in the first Test at Adelaide, India bounced back to win the series 2-1. The victory at the Gabba, where Australia hadn’t lost since 1988, cemented this series as one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history.
ODI and T20I Clashes
1985: India Wins the World Championship
In Australia, India lifted the World Championship of Cricket after defeating Pakistan in the final. However, their semi-final win over Australia was a defining moment of the tournament.
2007: T20 World Cup Semi-Final
India beat Australia in the semi-final of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup. India went on to win the tournament, marking a strong beginning in the T20 format.
2011: India Knocks Out Australia
In the quarter-final of the ICC World Cup 2011, India eliminated Australia and eventually won the title. It was a key psychological victory for Indian cricket.
2015: Australia Gets Revenge
In the 2015 ICC World Cup semi-final, Australia defeated India and went on to win the title, once again asserting their strength in ICC tournaments.
2020: India Wins ODI Series in Australia
India claimed a 2-1 ODI series win in Australia, reinforcing their stature as one of the strongest teams in limited-overs cricket globally.
Read Also: New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
India vs Australia: Test, ODI, and T20I (January 2025)
Test Matches (Border–Gavaskar Trophy & WTC)
The rivalry in Test cricket between India and Australia has been intense and historic. As of January 2025, the two teams have faced each other in 112 Test matches. Australia holds the edge with 48 wins, while India has secured 33 victories. Thirty matches have ended in draws, and one was tied—one of the rarest outcomes in cricket history.
The most recent 5-match Border–Gavaskar series (Nov 2024 – Jan 2025 in Australia) was fiercely competitive.
- 1st Test (Perth): India started strong with a commanding 295-run victory.
- 2nd Test (Adelaide): Australia bounced back in style, winning by 10 wickets.
- 3rd Test (Brisbane): Rain played spoilsport, and the match ended in a draw.
- 4th Test (Melbourne – Boxing Day): Australia claimed a dramatic 184-run win.
- 5th Test (Sydney): Australia sealed the series 3-1 with a 6-wicket win, reclaiming the Border–Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years.
Additionally, Australia defeated India in the ICC World Test Championship final held in June 2023, winning by 209 runs—a significant triumph on the world stage.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
In ODIs, the Australia-India rivalry remains one of the most thrilling in world cricket. By early 2025, the two teams have played 152 ODIs, with Australia winning 84, India 58, and 10 matches ending with no result.
In ODI World Cup history, Australia leads with 9 wins to India’s 5 from 14 encounters. Notably, Australia triumphed over India in the finals of both the 2003 and 2023 World Cups, asserting their dominance in tournament play.
In their most recent bilateral series held in India from September to December 2023, India secured a 2-1 series win. Shubman Gill was the standout performer with 178 runs, while David Warner impressed for Australia with 161 runs.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
In the shortest format of the game, India has enjoyed a clear advantage over Australia. Out of 32 T20Is, India has won 20, while Australia has claimed 11 victories, with one match resulting in a tie/no result.
In T20 World Cup matchups, India leads the head-to-head with a 4–2 win ratio, highlighting their success in high-pressure global tournaments.
Their latest encounters saw India win 3 out of 5 games during a T20 tour in November 2023. Furthermore, in a crucial Super Eight match on June 24, 2024, India defeated Australia by 24 runs, further asserting their T20 supremacy.
| Format | Matches | Aus Wins | Ind Wins | Draw/Tie/NR |
| Tests | 112 | 48 | 33 | 31 |
| ODIs | 152 | 84 | 58 | 10 |
| T20Is | 32 | 11 | 20 | 1 |
Key Players
India: Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia: Don Bradman, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, and Steve Smith.
Conclusion
Cricketing rivalry between India and Australia has developed in one of the most acute and respected battles in international cricket. By January 2025, both teams have given remarkable performance in all formats. In Test matches, Australia has a slight increase in total, especially after recovering the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with a 3–1 series win at home, ending India’s dominance in the series. Australia also won the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final, which strengthens its domination in the long -term format. In Odis, Australia maintained a strong lead in the overall head-to-head and World Cup encounters, including winning in the finals of 2003 and 2023. However, India’s recent 2–1 series victory on the soil of the house at the end of 2023 highlighted their continuous growth and competition in the format. The T20 international people have seen that India emerges as a major force, with bilateral matches and over -win in the World Cup. His recent victory, including an important super eight win in June 2024, reflects India’s strength in the shortest format. Overall, Australia-India cricket rivalry remains one of the best of the game, defined by prestigious matches, mythological players and unforgettable moments. New plays and passion are added to each series, eagerly waiting for fans around the world to their next face.
