Cricket has always been a game of rivalries. There have been countless great rivalries in terms of time and quality. The famous Ashes is also an example of it, and the rivalry between England and Australia is the oldest. Rivalries such as those between India and Pakistan are the tensest due to the impact of these matches on both countries. Among all these rivalries, one stands out on top due to the quality of the cricketers and the history that both teams have shared.
1. India Vs Australia WT20 2016
This was one of the most important games ever played in the history of the India vs. Australia rivalry. This game came during the 2016 T20 World Cup, and the winner would be playing in the semi-finals. The game was being played in Mohali. It was already an electrifying atmosphere to play the game. The game began, and Australia made 160 on the board. India lost early wickets and was struggling, and they desperately needed a partnership. It was Virat Kohli’s 82 that sealed the game for India. This was seen as an unwinnable game after India lost three early wickets. If it had not been for Virat Kohli, then surely India would have suffered a loss and not qualified for the semi-finals.
2. Quarterfinals 2011 WC
This was one of the most important matches for India in their World Cup-winning campaign of 2011. The quarterfinals played in Ahmedabad were much more interesting in terms of the quality of the cricketers. Bowling first, India restricted the Australian team to 260. India had a job on their hands in order to win the match against the fearsome Australian pace bowling attack. It was Yuvraj Singh for India who completed the match, and even with wickets falling, India won the match and got their entry into the semi-finals of the World Cup against Pakistan.
3. Border Gavaskar 3rd Test 2018-19 Series
The series was 1-1 for both teams. The expectations were very high, as this time India were the favourites to win the match and ultimately the series against Australia, which was the first time on Australian soil. The match began, and soon Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara’s big partnership guided India. This partnership was the reason that India was able to reach up to 400. In response, even though there were some opportunities left for Australia, Jasprit Bumrah uprooted them and took six wickets. In response, the Australian pacers, especially Pat Cummins, tried restricting India to 108, but ultimately Australia’s batting proved to be weakened, and they lost the match.
4. Border Gavaskar Final Test 2020-21 Series
It was the fortress of Australian cricket, which was the ground of Gabba. India was already struggling as they had no proper team left after many exits due to injuries and other senior players, such as Virat Kohli, leaving the test team early. Australia were the favourites to win the match as they had not been defeated at Gabba and the Indian team was inexperienced. However, the inexperienced Indian batters with Shubman Gill and, at last, Rishabh Pant took charge and were all over the deadly Australian pace attack. Finally, history was written at the stadium when India won at the Gabba.
5. Border Gavaskar 1st Test 2020-21 Series
India had again come to Australia for the famous Border Gavaskar Trophy. The Australian side was a favourite to win the series, and some were even predicting a 4-0 series victory for the home side. As the first match progressed, the Indian team had the upper hand until Virat Kohli was on the crease, and after his tragic run-out on 74, the game slipped. It slipped in a humiliating way, with India scoring just 36 runs in their second innings.
6. Border Gavaskar Final Test 2023 Series
India was leading the series 2-1 until that point in the series. The Australian team, however, had found their much-needed form by winning the last test and almost another one. They need to win this last test match in Ahmedabad in order to equalise this series. The last match is remembered for one main reason: Virat Kohli’s comeback test century with a massive 186. The test, however, ended in a draw, and on the other hand, New Zealand won against Sri Lanka. In between the test matches, only the players got to know that India and Australia would be playing in the World Test Championship Finals.
7. Semi Finals 2015 World Cup
It seemed as if the Australian team were in for revenge as the India-Australia semi-final was around the corner, and with both teams in hot favourite position, it was as if a repeat of the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals was going around, but the only difference here was that this time the match was played in Australia as the home side. The home-side advantage proved to be a great advantage for Australia as they uprooted India in the semi-final match, and later on, just like India went on to win the World Cup.
8. ICC World Cup 2003 Finals
It was the finals of the ICC World Cup 2003, and both teams had an equal chance of winning the world cup. Australia, the defending champions, had a team like no other, adorned by legends of the game. On the other hand, India was no less; it had all the about-to-be greats in the world of cricket, and on top of that, they had Sachin Tendulkar. As the match began, Australia and Ricky Ponting, batting first, uprooted the entire Indian batting order with 359-2. In reply, India’s only hope, Sachin, departed early, and it was all over for India’s World Cup dream when Australia won by a record 125 runs in a final
9. 6th ODI Australia Tour Of India 2013
This was the famous seven-match ODI series played between India and Australia, and up to this point in the ODI, Australia was leading India 2-1 with two matches being washed out. India desperately needed to win the match, and batting first, Australia scored a mountain of 350 runs. In order to chase this down, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave India an incredible start, with Dhawan scoring 100. It was the innings of Virat Kohli, where he scored 115 and won the game for India.
10. 2nd ODI Australia Tour Of India 2013
Australia had won the previous match and was leading 1-0, and in the second match also, they had scored a massive 359. The target was thought to be unreachable, and many even lost hope. It was the Indian top order that had not lost hope. The opening pair scored 176 as an opening partnership, with Shikhar missing the century by 5 runs. The joy did not last long as Virat Kohli scored the century along with Rohit Sharma, and Kohli scored the fastest ODI century by an Indian in 52 balls.
