2020/21 Aus v India Test series


India and Australia share one of Test cricket’s fiercest and most compelling rivalries, built on shifting power, great players, and unforgettable contests since their first series in 1947–48.

For decades Australia dominated, especially at home, with the exploits of Bradman, Lillee, Warne, McGrath and Ponting shaping results.

India’s fortress was their own turning wickets, where the spin of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Kumble and Harbhajan flipped many series.

The rivalry transformed in the 2000s as India, led by stars like Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Sehwag, began challenging Australia on equal terms, producing classics such as Kolkata 2001 and Adelaide 2003.

Over time the contests grew spikier, more tactical, and deeply narrative-driven. The modern era — highlighted by India’s back-to-back series wins in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21 — has seen India emerge as Australia’s most formidable opponent, with both sides consistently producing high-intensity cricket, dramatic shifts in momentum, and some of the most iconic series in the game’s history.

Since 1997, the series has been contested for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

2020/21 Aus v India Test series

India produced one of cricket’s greatest comebacks to win the Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia despite injuries, absences, and a disastrous start.

After being bowled out for 36 in Adelaide, their lowest Test total, India lost the first Test and their captain Virat Kohli returned home.

Under Ajinkya Rahane, the team staged a stunning turnaround in Melbourne, where Rahane’s superb century led India to a strong win to level the series.

The Sydney Test ended in a heroic draw, with Rishabh Pant’s counterpunch 97, Cheteshwar Pujara’s defiance, and Hanuma Vihari and R. Ashwin batting through pain for more than four hours to save the match.

The decider at Brisbane, where Australia had not lost a Test since 1988, became an instant classic: Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar revived India with a vital partnership, Mohammed Siraj led a young attack superbly, and Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 chased down 328 on the final evening to seal an unforgettable victory.

Despite fielding a severely depleted side by the final Test, India’s depth, resilience and fearless batting delivered a historic series win — and broke Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the Gabba.

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