Top 5 fewest balls bowled in completed India-Australia Tests ft. BGT 2024-25 in Adelaide
India and Australia have a fierce on-field rivalry, especially in Tests. With the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake, both teams give it their 100 percent, and the spectators have been treated to some brilliant matches over the past few decades.
While an ideal Test match should last for five days and produce a result, there have been a few instances where India- Australia Test matches have not gone the distance, especially in the last 20 years.
On that note, here is a look at five fewer balls bowled in completed in India- Australia Tests:
#1 BGT 2024-2025 in Adelaide - 1031 balls
The just-concluded Test in Adelaide is the fewest in terms of balls bowled in India- Australia Tests, with the Aussies winning by 10 wickets.
The hosts dominated the Test from the first ball when Mitchell Strac dismissed the in-form Yashavi Jaiswal. The rest of the Indian batters also struggled against the pink ball as the visitors were bowled out for 180 in their first innings.
Courtesy of a brilliant counter-attacking century from the bat of Travis Head (140), the hosts gained a 157-run first-innings lead.
India could manage only 175 in their second innings and the hosts chased down the 19-run target with ease. The Test concluded in less than 2.5 days with only 1031 balls bowled.
#2 BGT 2022-2023 in Indore - 1135 balls
The third Test of BGT 2022-23 witnessed Australian spinners at their lethal best. The hosts were bundled out for 109 runs courtesy of a five-wicket haul from Matthew Kuhnemann.
Riding on a patient half-century from Usman Khawaja (60), the Aussies scored 197 runs in their first innings and gained a crucial 88-run lead.
It was the time for Nathan Lyon to wreak havoc in India's second innings as he picked up eight wickets and bowled India out for just 163. Australia chased the 76-run target with nine wickets to spare.
The Test lasted only 1135 balls, the lowest ever between the two teams before the Adelaide 2024 Test.
#3 BGT 2011-2012 in Perth - 1200 balls
Team India suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia in Perth in 2011-12. The visitors were bowled out for 161 (60.2 overs) and 171 (63.2 overs) in the first and third innings of the Test, respectively.
The hosts, courtesy of a brilliant attacking knock from David Warner (180 from 159 balls), posted 369 runs in their first innings in just 76.2 overs.
Team India were beaten by an innings and 37 runs, with the Test lasting for just 1200 balls.
#4 BGT 2004-2005 in Mumbai - 1213 balls
Australia had gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series against India in 2024-2005 in the first three Tests. The action shifted to the Wankhede Stadium, where a rank-turner was dished out.
The hosts were bowled out for 104 in their first innings and in return, Australia were bundled out for 203 runs.
India posted 205 runs in their second outing, with VVS Laxman scoring 69.
Australia, chasing a target of 107, were bowled out for just 93. Murali Kartik picked up seven wickets in the match and was named Man of the Match. The Test lasted for 1213 balls.
#5 BGT 2020-2021 in Adelaide - 1246 balls
The infamous Test in Adelaide during the 2020-2021 series still haunts Team India fans. The Men in Blue were bundled out for a shocking 36 all-out in the third innings of the Test, their lowest in Test cricket.
The pink ball Test in Adelaide witnessed the hosts taking a slender 53-run lead in the first innings and were ahead of the hosts. However, India's second innings lasted for just 21.2 overs as Josh Hazlewood picked up five wickets and Pat Cummins grabbed four.
Australia chased the target of 90 in 21 overs and emerged victorious by nine wickets, with the Test lasting only 1246 balls.