Ranking the 5 best India-Australia Tests at the Gabba ahead of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
India and Australia are among the fiercest rivals in Test cricket. There is always unparalleled excitement and hype when the two teams clash in the longest format. The third Test between the sides in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 is set to be played at the Gabba, beginning on Saturday, December 14.
India won the first Test of the series in Perth to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. However, the hosts bounced back with a dominating performance in the pink-ball game in Adelaide to seal a comfortable 10-wicket win and level the series 1-1.
The visitors will now be keen to script a comeback at the Gabba. The last time India played a Test at the venue in 2021, they pulled off a memorable victory which is still fresh in the minds of every Indian cricket fan.
Looking at India's Test record at the Gabba, the visitors have managed just one win in seven games. They have suffered five losses and a drawn result. However, they will look to take inspiration from their famous victory in 2021, while hosts Australia will be confident from their previous win and dominant record at this venue.
On that note, let us rank the five best India-Australia Tests at The Gabba ahead of the BGT 2024-25 3rd Test.
#5 1947 - Australia won by an innings and 226 runs
The first time the two nations squared off in a Test at the Gabba was in 1947. It was the first match of the series and the hosts registered their biggest-ever win in the format against India at the venue to date (in terms of runs).
Batting first, Australia put up 382/8 declared, thanks to a fabulous 185-run knock from Don Bradman. They then bowled the visitors out for just 58 runs to take a massive first-innings lead.
Australia enforced the follow-on and again put up an exceptional display with the ball, bundling the visitors out for a paltry total of 98 runs to complete a thumping innings and 226-run victory.
#4 2014 - Australia won by 4 wickets
In the second Test of the series in 2014, India, led by Murali Vijay's 144, posted a solid total of 408 in the first innings. However, they let the visitors get ahead in the game as Australia posted 505 in the second innings on the back of a 133-run knock from Steve Smith and vital half-centuries from Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52).
Johnson then bagged four wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 224 runs in their second innings. As a result, Australia were set a target of just 128 runs. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav picked up three and two wickets, respectively, as the visitors fought hard with minimal runs on the board.
While Australia lost six wickets, they eventually chased down the target with four wickets to spare. Johnson and Starc's half-centuries earlier came back to hurt India eventually.
#3 2003 - Draw
The first Test during India's famous tour of Australia in 2003 was played at the Gabba. It remains among the most closely contested games in the format between the two sides to date. Justin Langer's ton in the first innings propelled Australia to a total of 323 as Zaheer Khan returned with five wickets.
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly led from the front with a brilliant 144 as the hosts piled on 409 runs in reply. In their second innings, fifties from Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, and Steve Waugh saw Australia declare their innings at 284/3.
India were set a target of 199 runs. They lost both openers in quick succession. However, unbeaten knocks from Rahul Dravid (43*) and VVS Laxman (24*) ensured the game ended in a draw eventually.
#2 1977 - Australia won by 16 runs
Against a strong Australian team in the 1990s, India put up a brave effort in the Gabba Test in 1977. In the first innings, Bishan Bedi grabbed five wickets as India bowled the hosts out for just 166 runs.
However, Wayne Clark (4), Jeff Thomson (3), and Tony Mann (3) were among the wickets for the hosts as they came back strong to bundle the visitors out for just 153 runs.
Despite Madan Lal's five-wicket haul, Australia put up a strong total of 327 runs in their second innings, posing India a stiff target of 341 runs. The visitors put up a brave effort and had almost pulled off what would have been a historic win but unfortunately fell short by just 16 runs in the end as they were bowled out for 324.
Sunil Gavaskar's 113 run-knock went in vain.
#1 2021 - India won by 3 wickets
The last time these two sides played a Test at this venue was in 2021 when India registered their first-ever win in the format at the Gabba. Australia scored 369 runs in the first innings thanks to a brilliant ton from Marnus Labuschagne. The visitors got to 336 in reply on the back of crucial half-centuries from Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur lower down the order.
Mohammed Siraj (five wickets) and Shardul (four wickets) then put up a spirited show with the ball to bowl the hosts out for 294 runs in their second innings. A slightly depleted Indian side had to chase a stiff target of 328 runs for a win.
Exceptional knocks from Shubman Gill (91), Cheteshwar Pujara (56), and Rishabh Pant (89*) helped India get over the line with just three wickets to spare, thus completing a victory for the ages.