In the world of cricket, the India-Australia rivalry is one of the most followed and fiercely fought rivalries. Starting from the battle between Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson’s tussle to Zaheer Khan hitting Brett Lee for six, this rivalry has given us many moments. The Test series between these two teams is called the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This was named after the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar and Australian legend Allan Border. Presented before you are the Top 10 Most Runs In Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Till 20 March 2022)-
1. Sachin Tendulkar (3262 runs)
Sachin Tendulkar is often dubbed the “God of the Indian Cricket”. With 3262 runs, he is the leading run-scorer in the history of this trophy. His average of 56.24 is the fourth-best in this tournament. With 9 centuries, he leads the list for the most centuries in this series. He has 25 (most) 50+ scores in this Test rivalry. He is the leading six-hitter (25 sixes) amongst all the players from both nations.
2. Ricky Ponting (2555 runs)
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has scored 2555 runs in 51 innings. His scores of 257 and 242 stand on the third and fourth position respectively on the list for the highest individual scores in the history of this trophy. With 8 centuries, he is the joint-second most century scorer along with his countrymate Steve Smith. He has 20 50+ scores (second-most). In the 2003-04 season, he scored 706 runs (second-most in a single season).
3. VVS Laxman (2434 runs)
India’s VVS Laxman has 2434 runs to his credit. His score of 281 in the famous 2001 Test in Kolkata is the second-highest individual score in this trophy. He has 18 (third-most) 50+ scores. In the above-mentioned match in Kolkata, he smashed 44 fours in the third innings. This was the record for scoring the most runs (176) off boundaries.
4. Rahul Dravid (2143 runs)
Often called “The Wall” for his defensive game, India’s Rahul Dravid was the other half of the famous 376-run partnership in the above-mentioned Kolkata Test. In the 2003-04 season, he scored 619 runs (second-most by India in a single edition). In 60 innings, he has scored 2143 runs at an average of 39.68.
5. Michael Clarke (2049 runs)
Australia’s Michael Clarke has scored 2049 runs and has also led Australia in 8 Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He scored 329* in Sydney in 2012, which is the only 300+ score in the history of this series. In this same inning, he scored 162 runs through boundaries (39 fours, 1 six). With 7 centuries, he has scored the joint-third most centuries.
6. Cheteshwar Pujara (1893 runs)
Saurashtra-born Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 1893 runs in 37 innings at an average of 54.08. He has 15 (joint-fourth most) 50+ scores. In the second inning in 2013 in Hyderabad, he scored his best score of 204.
7. Matthew Hayden (1888 runs)
Matthew Hayden averaged 59 and scored 1888 runs in 35 innings. His average is the third-best on the list. He is the second-most six-hitter with 24 sixes. When he scored his personal best of 203 in Chennai in 2001, he smashed 6 sixes (joint-second most).
8. Steve Smith (1742 runs)
Former Australian captain Steve Smith has scored 1742 runs in 28 innings at a brilliant average of 72.58 (highest average). He shares the podium for most centuries in this series with Ricky Ponting with 8 centuries. In the 2014-15 season, Smith scored 769 runs (most runs in a single season).
9. Virender Sehwag (1738 runs)
Virender Sehwag was one of the most terrifying Indian openers ever. He has scored 1738 runs in 43 innings at an average of 41.38. His strike rate of 75.20 is the second-best in this trophy. In the first innings against Australia in Melbourne in 2003, he smashed 5 sixes (joint-second most).
10. Virat Kohli (1682 runs)
Virat Kohli will surely go into the history books as one of the best all-format batters ever to have played the game. In 36 innings, he has scored 1682 runs at an average of 48.05. He is tied on the third spot with Michael Clarke with 7 centuries. In the 2014-15 season in Australia, he scored 692 runs (most runs in a single edition away from home).
