The Border Gavaskar Trophy, named after Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and Australian batting great Allan Border, is a highly competitive Test series between India and Australia. The series has been contested under this moniker since 1996-97.
India has emerged as the most successful team in the history of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, winning nine titles, including the 2020/21 series. As the 2023 series gets set to commence on February 9th in Nagpur, anticipation is high for what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
Let’s take a look at the Best XI from the legendary series –
Number 1. Matthew Hayden
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Matthew Hayden brought a winning mentality to the all-conquering Australian cricket team during the early 2000s. In addition to his explosive batting style, the left-handed opener was also highly consistent in delivering crucial runs.
Throughout his 35 innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series from 2001 to 2008, Hayden amassed a total of 1,888 runs with an impressive average of 59. He played a pivotal role in Australia’s series victories in 2004/05 and 2007/08.
One of Hayden’s standout performances in the series came during a match in Chennai in March 2001, where he smashed 203 runs off 320 deliveries, including 15 boundaries and six sixes. Despite Hayden’s heroics, India managed to secure a narrow 2-wicket win.
Number 2. Cheteshwar Pujara
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The Indian cricketing gem, Cheteshwar Pujara, has earned the reputation of being the new ‘Wall’ of the Indian Test team. With a debut against Australia in 2010, Pujara has amassed a staggering 7,000+ runs and 19 centuries in the longest format of the game.
Against Australia, Pujara boasts impressive numbers with 1,893 runs at an average of 54.08, including 10 fifties and 5 hundreds – the most against any team. He is most remembered for his historic knock of 204 in Hyderabad in 2013 which paved the way for India’s victory by an inning and 135 runs.
In the 2020/21 Border Gavaskar Trophy series, Pujara demonstrated his unwavering resilience and technique, especially with his fighting 56 off 211 balls at the Fort Gabba. This crucial knock broke Australia’s 32-year unbeaten record and helped secure a historic series victory for India.
Number 3. Ricky Ponting
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Ricky Ponting is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played for Australia. Known for his exceptional cover drives and powerful pulls, Ponting amassed an impressive 13,378 runs in his 168-match career, averaging 51.85 with 41 hundred to his name.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ponting was a dominant force, scoring 2,555 runs across 29 appearances from 1996 to 2012, including 12 half-centuries and eight centuries. His best knock of 257 in Melbourne in December 2003 was instrumental in securing an easy victory for Australia.
As skipper, Ponting led the Australian team to a 2-1 series victory in India during the 2003/04 series, a feat that has not been matched by any other Australian team since then.
Number 4. Sachin Tendulkar
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Sachin Tendulkar, the embodiment of quality and consistency, is undoubtedly India’s most recognised batsman in both Tests and ODIs. In 200 Tests, he scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, including 51 hundreds.
Tendulkar is also by far the finest hitter in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. In 34 Tests, he scored 3,262 runs at an average of 56.24, with 16 fifties and nine centuries. He also appeared in the most Border-Gavaskar series (11).
In 2004, the tiny maestro smashed his greatest knock of 241* against his favourite side in Sydney. His knock contributed to the Indian team’s huge total of 705 on the board, which stands fourth on the list of their biggest Test scores.
Number 5. Steve Smith
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A guy who began his career with leg-spin has built a name for himself with his bat skills. Steve Smith made his Test debut in 2010 and has now amassed over 8,600 runs in 92 Test matches, including 37 fifties and 30 tonnes.
Smith set bilateral records with 1,742 runs in 28 innings, eight tonnes, and five fifties. His ability to convert beginnings into three-figure scores is shown by his statistics.
The 33-year-old scored 192 in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, including 15 fours and two sixes. He will also be crucial to Australia’s aspirations in 2023.
Number 6. VVS Laxman
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In the early 2000s, VVS Laxman’s hits against the powerful Australian squad helped him establish himself as a key player for the Indian side. The right-hander made his debut in 1998 and went on to score 8,781 runs in 134 games, including 17 centuries.
Laxman was exceptional in the Border Gavaskar series, scoring 2,434 runs in 29 games, including 12 fifties and six tonnes. He was a member of the series from 1998 to 2012 and is placed third on the batting rankings.
Laxman’s most famous 281-ball performance occurred in Kolkata in 2001, and it was a career-defining innings for him. Also, his 303-run partnership with Rahul Dravid in Adelaide in 2003 still gives Indian cricket fans shivers.
Number 7. Ravindra Jadeja
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Ravindra Jadeja has been a steady performer in all aspects since his debut. His fielding abilities were also a surprise in his earlier days, helping to elevate the Indian team’s standing in this aspect.
Jadeja earns a spot in this XI as an all-rounder due to his ability to contribute to the team regardless of the circumstances. The southpaw has 63 wickets and 387 runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His average of 18.85 is the highest among the top five wicket-takers in the BGT.
The brilliant all-rounder has his best Test series stats of 6/63 in Bengaluru in 2017. It would be fascinating to see whether Jadeja can be as consistent after returning to the squad after his injury.
Number 8. Nathan Lyon
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Nathan Lyon has been the Australian red-ball team’s go-to wicket-taker since his debut in 2011. Lyon is the most successful Australian spinner to date, having taken 460 wickets in 115 games.
He has 94 wickets in 22 BGT games despite just being a member of the series since 2011. He is third on the list, after only Anil Kumble (111) and Harbhajan Singh (95).
Lyon’s best performance was an 8/50 in Bengaluru in 2017. After the series, the 35-year-old is expected to become the top bowler in bilateral matches.
Number 9. Anil Kumble
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Anil Kumble is widely considered as one of the greatest bowlers in both Test and ODI cricket for India. With 619 wickets in 132 Test matches, Kumble has solidified his place as the premier Indian bowler in the format for years to come.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well, Kumble stands at the top of the bowling charts with 111 wickets in 20 matches from 1996 to 2008. Throughout his career, the master of the flipper demonstrated his ability to take crucial wickets in pressure situations.
One of Kumble’s finest moments in the BGT came in Sydney in 2004, where he recorded figures of 8/141. Although his record has yet to be broken, there is speculation that Australia’s Nathan Lyon could surpass him in the upcoming series.
Number 10. Zaheer Khan
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As a standout left-arm pacer, Zaheer Khan was a valuable asset for the Indian team in all formats with his exceptional skills. He amassed 311 wickets in 92 Test matches, including 11 five-wicket hauls.
In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), Zaheer is positioned sixth on the list of top bowlers, with 61 wickets in 19 appearances, and an average of 35.39. He participated in the India vs Australia Test series from 2001 to 2012.
Zaheer’s finest performance in the BGT came in Bengaluru in 2008, where he recorded 5/91 in the innings. He holds the distinction of being the leading pacer in terms of wickets among both India and Australia.
Number 11. Glenn McGrath
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Glenn McGrath, the pacer with the ability to consistently place balls in the proper spots, took 563 wickets in 124 games at a spectacular average of 21.64, including 29 five-wicket hauls.
During his time in the BGT from 1996 to 2004, McGrath took 51 wickets in 11 games. McGrath, along with Brett Lee, ensured that the Indian batsmen remained quiet despite their best efforts.
The right arm pacer’s best performance was 5/48 in Sydney in January 2000. He also went on to take 5/55 in the second innings and was voted Player of the Match.
