Ranking the 3 best India-Australia Tests in Perth ft. 2008
Team India and Australia will begin their battle for supremacy in the first Test of the mouthwatering 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, starting November 22. With the massive build-up to the five-Test series between the two best Test sides in world cricket, the Perth Stadium should be packed to the rafters for the start of one of the most-anticipated matchups in recent times.
There is also the added narrative of India trying to win a hat-trick of Test series down under after their 2-1 victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Yet, Perth hasn't been too kind to them historically, with India winning only one of their five Tests against Australia at the venue.
Indian fans will do well to remember Sachin Tendulkar's famous 114 on a bouncy WACA wicket in Perth in 1992 and Virat Kohli's 123 in the new Perth Stadium in 2018. However, team success has largely evaded India on arguably the most traditional Australian wicket in Perth.
Nevertheless, Perth has witnessed some high-octane India-Australia Tests over the years despite the one-sided overall head-to-head numbers.
On that note, let us rank the three best India-Australia Tests in Perth and find out if India's lone win at the venue makes the cut.
#3 2018
India and Australia last met in a Test at the new Perth Stadium in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After India pulled off a thrilling win in the series opener in Adelaide, Australia were in near must-win territory in the second Test in Perth.
On a spicy wicket with great assistance for the seamers and spinners, the hosts batted first and scored a respectable 326 in the first innings. Team India were immediately reduced to 8/2 in response before a sensational century from skipper Virat Kohli helped them recover and post 283 on the board.
With a slender 43-run lead, the Aussies scored 243 in their second essay to set India a target of 287 in the final innings. However, the tantalizing battle between bat and ball finally turned one-sided during India's run-chase as they were bowled out for a paltry 140 to lose by 146 runs.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon was the Player of the Match for his eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings as the Aussies leveled the series at 1-1.
#2 2008
![Dravid's defiance helped India thwart the Aussie pace attack in the first innings [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/a1e1d-17320934768301-1920.jpg)
One of India's most memorable wins on Australian soil and their lone Test victory in Perth came during the infamous 2007-08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Led by the legendary Anil Kumble, India fought valiantly in the opening two Tests but lost both to fall 0-2 behind in the four-Test series.
The second Test in Sydney was marred by several controversial decisions, adding more fuel to the fire between the sides heading to Perth. Sensing the possibility of a whitewash, the hosts went for a four-pronged pace attack for the traditionally bouncy Perth track.
However, what followed was a stunning resurgence by an Indian side unwilling to relinquish series honors.
The visitors batted first and posted a formidable 330 in their first innings, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. The Indian bowlers backed up the batters' efforts by shutting Australia out for only 212 in their first essay.
Buoyed by a handy 118-run first-innings lead, the Indian batters fought tooth and nail against a relentless Aussie attack to post 294 in the second innings, setting the hosts a stiff target of 413 for victory.
Despite threatening several times during the run-chase, Australia were eventually bowled out for 340 as India celebrated an improbable 72-run win to cut the series deficit to 1-2.
#1 1977
![Mohinder Amarnath's brilliance almost won India a thriller at Perth [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/4d3f4-17320927916912-1920.jpg)
India's first-ever Test in Perth came in the 1977-78 tour of Australia with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Led by Bishan Singh Bedi, India's quest to level the series in style as they posted a formidable 402 in their first innings. Mohinder Amarnath top-scored with a 156-ball 90 and he received great support from opener Chetan Chauhan with 88.
In response, the Aussies, led by skipper Bob Simpson's 176, managed to reach India's total, finishing on 394 with a deficit of only eight runs.
With the Test match effectively a one-inning shootout, Amarnath capped off a brilliant game with a century in India's second innings. He was given company by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who top-scored with 127 as India declared on 330/9, setting Australia a target of 339.
Unfazed by the stiff run-chase, Australia pulled off a thrilling victory by two wickets, thanks to a dazzling century by Tony Mann, to take a 2-0 series lead.