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NEW DELHI: The big-ticket Border-Gavaskar Trophy has become one of cricket’s most iconic Test rivalries, pitting India against Australia in a clash of contrasting styles.
Named after two cricketing greats, Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar, the series has seen incredible displays of skill, resilience, and determination.
Over the years, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has evolved into a platform where batsmen have risen to extraordinary challenges, fighting in the swing and seam-friendly pitches of Australia to spin-laden tracks in India.
From iconic knocks in the heat of Chennai to match-winning innings in the cauldrons of Melbourne, the batsmanship at display in the series has been nothing short of marvelous.
As the countdown to BGT 2024-25 tickles down, here’s a look at the all-time the top 10 run-getters:
1) Sachin Tendulkar
Legendary Sachin Tendulkar sits right at the top pile 3262 runs in the India vs Australia BGT series. In the 34 matches that Sachin featured between 1996 and 2013 in the series, he had 9 tons and 16 half-centuries to name. The batting maestro had a stupendous average of 56.24 and had a highest score of 241 not out, which was also his highest Test total in an innings. Sachin was also dismissed for a duck four times in the series.
2) Ricky Ponting
Australian great Ricky Ponting is second behind Sachin on the list of most run-getters in the India vs Australia BGT series. In the 29 Tests that Ponting was part of in the rivalry, he scored 2555 runs at a stunning average of 54.36. Ponting notched up 8 centuries and 12 fifties while he too like Sachin was dismissed 4 times for a duck in the series. The former Australian captain had a highest score of 257 in the series.
3) VVS Laxman
Batting maestro VVS Laxman had a special relation with Australia. Whenever the Aussies were against him, Laxman was at his absolute best. In the 29 Tests Laxman played against Australia between 1998-2012, he scored 2434 runs at an average of 49.67. Laxman’s epic — one of the greatest knocks in Test cricket’s history — knock of 281 in Kolkata came against the Aussies. Laxman had 6 centuries and 12 fifties to his name against Australia.
4) Rahul Dravid
‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid was another Indian batter, who scored heavily against Australia. In the 32 matches between 1996-2012, Dravid amassed 2143 runs that came at an average of close to 40. He had a couple of hundreds and 13 fifties to his name and a highest score of 233 against the Aussies.
5) Michael Clarke
Former captain Michael Clarke sits fifth on the list with 2049 runs in 22 Tests played between 2004-2014. With the highest score of 329 not out, Clarke is the lone triple centurion in India vs Australia Tests. The top-order batter had 6 tons and 7 fifties to his name against India and boasted an average of 53.92.
6) Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara was the hero of India’s 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph Down Under where he smashed 521 runs in the single series. Overall, in 24 Tests that Pujara played against the Australians between 2010 and 2023, he scored 2033 runs at a stunning average of 50.82. He had 5 centuries and 11 fifties to his name and had the highest score of 204.
7) Virat Kohli
Australia has been superstar Virat Kohli’s favourite country where he has had tremendous success over the years. Since 2011, Kohli has been part of 24 Tests against Australia and has 1979 runs to his name at an average of 48.26. Kohli has scored 8 tins and 5 fifties against Australia in the longest format and has a top score of 186. Kohli currently sits at the 7th spot on the list of most run-getters in BGT and will look to climb further up the ladder in the upcoming tour.
8) Matthew Hayden
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden looked at his absolute best when playing against India. In the 18 Tests Hayden featured between 2001 and 2008, he scored 1888 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 59. Hayden scored 6 tons and 8 fifties against India and was dismissed for a duck twice.
9) Steven Smith
Just like Virat Kohli, eyes will also be on Steve Smith in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he will also be looking to climb up the ladder of most run getters in the iconic rivalry. In the 18 Tests Smith has played so far between 2013-2023, the right-hander has 1887 runs to his name at a stunning average of 65.06. Smith has so far hit 8 tons and 5 fifties in Tests against India.
10) Virender Sehwag
Explosive former India opener Virender Sehwag sits 10th on the list with 1738 runs in 22 matches. Sehwag boasted an average of 41.38 and had 3 tons and 9 fifties to his name against the Aussies. Sehwag had the highest score of 195 and was also dismissed for a duck thrice against Australia.
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