How India vs Australia Became Cricket’s Biggest Rivalry

India vs Australia has dwarfed the Ashes en route to becoming the biggest cricketing spectacle.Maybe it’s just coincidence, but the institution of a trophy for what till then was a largely one-sided rivalry has changed the dynamics of India-Australia Test cricket.

In honor of their contributions to the sport and their iconic trophies, the cricket boards of India and Australia agreed that from 1996 onwards, the two nations would compete in Test cricket for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Allan Border guided Australia through a tough transition in the mid-80s, leading them to the 1987 World Cup, while Sunil Gavaskar, India’s first batting legend, became the first to score 10,000 Test runs with his exceptional technique and temperament.

Australia dominated most encounters, especially at home, but in recent decades, the playing field has become more balanced.

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Test That Redefined India-Australia Rivalry

Before the Gabba miracle, India’s 2001 Eden Gardens win was their most celebrated Test victory. Australia, on a 16-match unbeaten streak, had dominated India in Mumbai and led by 274 runs after the first innings in Kolkata.

As India faced another defeat, VVS Laxman, promoted to No. 3, and Rahul Dravid, his replacement, turned the tide with a brilliant partnership.

For an entire day, they first resisted, then mastered Steve Waugh’s side that included bowling great Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

Laxman and Dravid’s 376-run partnership gave India a 383-run lead. Harbhajan took 6 for 73 in the second innings, while Tendulkar claimed three key wickets as India secured a stunning 171-run win.

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