The Border–Gavaskar Trophy stands as one of the most intense and respected rivalries in international cricket. Played between India and Australia, the series has consistently delivered high-octane drama, unforgettable contests, and moments that have shaped modern cricketing history.
Established in 1996, the trophy was named in honour of two legends—Australia’s Allan Border and India’s Sunil Gavaskar. Both players were trailblazers for their countries, known for their grit, consistency, and leadership during challenging times.
Since its inception, the series has seen power shifts, emerging stars, and fierce battles on both home and away soil.
This article presents a complete winners list of every Border–Gavaskar Trophy series, along with key highlights.
Border & Gavaskar: The Icons Behind the Trophy
The Border–Gavaskar Trophy is named after two legendary cricketers who redefined leadership and batting excellence for their countries.
Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar not only set remarkable individual records but also played pivotal roles in shaping the cricketing identity of Australia and India. Their enduring legacy is now etched into one of the most fiercely contested Test series in modern cricket.
Allan Border
Allan Border was a tough, determined left-handed batsman and Australia’s longest-serving Test captain. He played a key role in stabilising Australian cricket during the 1980s, scoring over 11,000 Test runs.
His leadership and resilience helped lay the groundwork for Australia’s golden era, culminating in their 1987 World Cup win and dominance in the following decades.
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was India’s batting pillar during the 1970s and 1980s, becoming the first player to reach 10,000 Test runs.
Renowned for his solid technique against fast bowling, he scored 34 Test centuries against top class attacks. Gavaskar’s calm, composed presence at the crease inspired generations and brought global recognition to India’s cricketing prowess.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Winners List (1996-2024)
Since the introduction of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy in 1996–97, a total of 17 series have been played between India and Australia. Over the years, this contest has witnessed legendary performances, shifting dominance, and intense rivalry. The most recent series concluded in the 2024–25 season.
Let’s take a look at the complete list of series results and winners:
| Series | Year | Host | Winner | Margin (Total matches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996/97 | India | India | 1-0 (1) |
| 2 | 1997/98 | India | India | 2-1 (3) |
| 3 | 1999/00 | Australia | Australia | 3-0 (3) |
| 4 | 2000/01 | India | India | 2-1 (3) |
| 5 | 2003/04 | Australia | Drawn | 1-1 (4) |
| 6 | 2004/05 | India | Australia | 2-1 (4) |
| 7 | 2007/08 | Australia | Australia | 2-1 (4) |
| 8 | 2008/09 | India | India | 2-0(4) |
| 9 | 2010/11 | India | India | 2-0 (2) |
| 10 | 2011/12 | Australia | Australia | 4-0 (4) |
| 11 | 2012/13 | India | India | 4-0 (4) |
| 12 | 2014/15 | Australia | Australia | 2-0 (4) |
| 13 | 2016/17 | India | India | 2-1 (4) |
| 14 | 2018/19 | Australia | India | 2-1 (4) |
| 15 | 2020/21 | Australia | India | 2-1 (4) |
| 16 | 2022/23 | India | India | 2-1 (4) |
| 17 | 2024/25 | Australia | Australia | 3-1 (5) |
The Border–Gavaskar Trophy has been fiercely contested since 1996–97, with India emerging as the dominant force. Out of the 17 series played, India has won 10, while Australia has claimed 6, and one series ended in a draw. The rivalry has grown into one of the most anticipated Test match-ups in world cricket.
The most recent edition, held in 2024–25 in Australia, saw the hosts reclaim the trophy with a convincing 3–1 series win.
1. BGT 1996-97
The inaugural Border–Gavaskar Trophy in 1996–97 featured a one-off Test in Delhi, where India secured a comfortable 7-wicket win.
Wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia impressed with the bat, while Anil Kumble led the bowling charge. This emphatic home victory marked a strong start for India in what would become a legendary Test rivalry.
2. BGT 1997-98
The 1997–98 Border–Gavaskar Trophy was a three-Test series hosted by India, which they won 2–1.
The series is best remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s masterful batting, especially his iconic 155* in Chennai. Australia fought hard, winning the second Test, but India bounced back in the decider to clinch the series and retain the trophy at home.
3. BGT 1999-2000
The 1999–00 Border–Gavaskar Trophy saw Australia dominate India with a 3–0 whitewash at home under Steve Waugh’s captaincy.
Glenn McGrath’s pace and Shane Warne’s spin proved too much for the Indian batting lineup. The series highlighted India’s continued struggles in overseas conditions, as Australia asserted their dominance in emphatic fashion.
4. BGT 2000-01
The 2000–01 Border–Gavaskar Trophy was a legendary comeback for India, who recovered from a first-Test defeat to win 2–1.
The iconic Kolkata Test, where VVS Laxman’s stunning 281 and Harbhajan Singh’s 32 wickets turned the tide, remains etched in history. India’s resilience and fightback secured a memorable series victory and cemented their reputation as formidable opponents.
5. BGT 2003-04
The 2003–04 Border–Gavaskar Trophy ended in a 1–1 draw, with India showcasing resilience on Australian soil.
Rahul Dravid’s remarkable 233 in Adelaide guided India to a rare overseas win, while Australia bounced back to win the Sydney Test. Despite India’s strong performance, they were denied a historic series win in Australia, with the draw marking a hard-fought contest.
6. BGT 2004-05
In the 2004–05 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, Australia secured their first Test series win in India since 1969, triumphing 2–1.
Michael Clarke made a memorable debut, while Damien Martyn’s consistency played a pivotal role in Australia’s success. The series was contested on challenging spinning tracks, but Australia’s all-round performance helped them overcome India’s strong resistance to claim the historic victory.
7. BGT 2007-08
The 2007–08 Border–Gavaskar Trophy was a controversial series, marked by the “Monkeygate” saga involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds.
Australia won 2–1, but the Sydney Test faced heavy criticism for questionable umpiring decisions and concerns over sportsmanship. India bounced back strongly with a memorable win in Perth, showcasing resilience despite the off-field drama and contentious moments.
8. BGT 2008-09
In the 2008–09 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, India secured a dominant 2–0 series win at home under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
Gautam Gambhir’s solid batting, Amit Mishra’s key wickets, and Zaheer Khan’s pace were instrumental in India’s success. This series marked a new era for Indian cricket, with the team showing strength and depth to decisively outplay Australia on home soil.
9. BGT 2010-11
The 2010–11 Border–Gavaskar Trophy saw India complete a clean sweep at home, winning 2–0 in a short two-match series.
Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliance with the bat and Zaheer Khan’s fiery pace were key to India’s dominance. The series further solidified India’s strength on home soil, as they outclassed Australia with both skill and composure in every department.
10. BGT 2011-12
The 2011–12 Border–Gavaskar Trophy saw Australia inflict a brutal 4–0 whitewash on India.
Their fiery pace attack, led by the likes of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson, dominated the series. Michael Clarke’s memorable triple century in Sydney and his commanding leadership were standout moments in a humiliating tour for India, as they struggled to counter Australia’s relentless pressure.
11. BGT 2012-13
In the 2012–13 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, India exacted revenge with a dominant 4–0 whitewash at home.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were exceptional with the ball, spinning a web around Australia’s batsmen.
Shikhar Dhawan’s stunning debut century in Mohali captured the headlines, and India’s all-round performance ensured a comprehensive series victory, restoring their pride after the previous loss in Australia.
12. BGT 2014-2015
In the 2014–15 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, despite Virat Kohli’s remarkable achievement of four centuries, Australia claimed the series 2–0.
Steve Smith was the standout performer, dominating the series with a staggering 769 runs in just four Tests. Australia’s strong batting and all-round performance helped them secure the victory, with Smith’s consistent brilliance proving crucial to their success.
13. BGT 2016-17
In the 2016–17 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, India bounced back from a surprising defeat in Pune to win the series 2–1.
The decider in Dharamsala saw Kuldeep Yadav make a memorable debut, taking crucial wickets and playing a key role in India’s victory. The series was marked by dramatic moments, with India showcasing resilience to clinch the win after a hard-fought contest.
14. BGT 2018-19
In the 2018–19 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, India made history by winning their first-ever Test series in Australia, claiming a 2–1 victory.
The series was marked by outstanding performances from players like Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored heavily, and Jasprit Bumrah, whose pace bowling was exceptional. Australia fought hard, but India’s all-round strength and composure in critical moments secured a historic win, further cementing their rise as a dominant force in world cricket.
15. BGT 2020-21
The 2020–21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy is regarded as India’s greatest overseas series win. Despite a slew of injuries and a rookie squad, India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, triumphed 2–1.
The series culminated in a historic victory at the Gabba, where Rishabh Pant’s heroic final-day knock helped India break Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue. India’s resilience, depth, and team spirit made this triumph a remarkable achievement in cricket history.
16. BGT 2022-23
In the 2022–23 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, India retained the trophy with a 2–1 victory at home. Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin were exceptional with the ball, dominating Australia’s batting lineup.
Axar Patel contributed vital lower-order runs, adding to India’s all-round strength. While Australia fought hard in the third and fourth Tests in Indore and Ahmedabad, India held firm to secure the series win.
17. BGT 2024-25
In the 2024–25 Border–Gavaskar Trophy, Australia reclaimed the series with a 3–1 victory over India.
Despite India winning the first Test, Australia dominated the remaining matches to secure their first series win in over a decade. Key performances came from Travis Head (448 runs) and Pat Cummins (25 wickets). India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Series for his exceptional bowling.
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Conclusion: Border–Gavaskar Trophy, The Fiercest Rivalry in Test Cricket!
The Border–Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most iconic rivalries in world cricket, showcasing fierce competition and remarkable performances. Named after two legends, Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar, it has produced unforgettable moments that have shaped cricketing history.
Each series brings its own unique drama, with thrilling comebacks and career-defining performances. The rivalry transcends national boundaries, becoming a part of cricket folklore.
As we look to the future, the Border–Gavaskar Trophy will continue to be a symbol of excellence in Test cricket, inspiring future generations and maintaining its place as one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
