Top five highest individual scores by Indian batters against Australia in Test cricket

In 1947, India and Australia played their first test match. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) began in 1996 with a one-off test in Delhi.

Australia lead the head-to-head record in test cricket between these two teams, with 45 wins and 32 losses. However, with 24 wins and 20 losses, India leads the BGT matches.

Test cricket between Australia and India has consistently produced some of the greatest batters in history, with both teams' willow wielders setting enormous records. The Indian batters have played a significant role in their victories over Australia.

In this article, let’s examine the top five highest scores made by Indian batters against Australia in Test cricket.

5. Sachin Tendulkar - 214, Bengaluru, 2010

At the age of 37, Sachin Tendulkar scored an incredible 214 runs when Australia played India in the second test of the 2010 series in Bengaluru. After India had already lost two wickets, Tendulkar and Murali Vijay (139) added 318 runs for the third wicket.

Tendulkar reached his century by hitting two sixes. Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni provided additional assistance, enabling Tendulkar to outscore the Australian bowling order and score 214 in 363 balls with 22 fours and two sixes. India won the match by seven wickets.

4. MS Dhoni - 224, Chennai, 2013

In Chennai in 2013, MS Dhoni scored 224 runs against Australia, setting a new record for the highest test score by an Indian wicketkeeper. 

With Michael Clarke scoring a ton, Australia did well to reach 380 in their first innings. Virat Kohli scored 107 in India's strong response, but MS Dhoni, who hit 224 with 24 fours and six sixes in 265 balls, did the most damage.

In the end, his knock proved decisive as India won the match by 8 wickets, taking them to 572 runs. Dhoni became the first Indian keeper to score a double-ton in tests.

3. Rahul Dravid - 233, Adelaide, 2003

Rahul Dravid played a crucial role in India’s win in the Adelaide test on the 2003/04 tour. Ricky Ponting's 242 helped Australia reach 556 runs. In reply, India were reduced to 85/4 and then VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid got together.

The two created a massive 303-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help India get back into the match. Rahul Dravid plundered 223 runs, while Laxman added 148. Dravid hit 22 fours and one six in his knock, which helped India post 523 runs.

Australia replied with 196 amid Ajit Agarkar’s 6/41 and set India 230 runs to win. After Virender Sehwag made a strong start, Dravid saved the day once more. With a score of 72*, Dravid led the chase and helped India win by four wickets.

2. Sachin Tendulkar - 241*, Sydney, 2004

Sachin Tendulkar played an astonishing knock of 241* in the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 2003-04 tour as India posted 705/7d. After winning the toss, India decided to bat first.

Tendulkar entered the game at 128/2 with the intention of not playing a cover drive because in the earlier tests he had been getting out while edging. During his innings, the legend made the decision to completely forgo the cover drive. He made 241*, his highest test score against Australia, with 33 fours, and added 353 runs for the fifth wicket with VVS Laxman, who made 178 runs.

Australia responded with 474 thanks to centuries from Simon Katich and Justin Langer. With Dravid at 91* and Sachin at 60*, India declared on 211/2 in the second innings to set Australia 443 runs to win. However, the game ended in a draw as Australia made 357/6.

1. VVS Laxman - 281, Kolkata, 2001

In test cricket, VVS Laxman's 281 at Eden Gardens in 2001 stands as the highest score by an Indian batter against Australia. It is regarded as one of the best knocks in test cricket history.

After choosing to bat first, Australia amassed 445 runs thanks to Steve Waugh's 110 and Matthew Hayden's 97. As Australia enforced the follow-on, Waugh asked India to bat again after they were bowled out for 171 runs in reply.

Sourav Ganguly decided to send VVS Laxman, who had made 59 in the first innings, up the order to bat at No.3 and history was made. Laxman made 281, adding more than 300 runs with Rahul Dravid (180). Throughout the fourth day, the pair batted without giving Australia a wicket.

India posted 657/7d and set a target of 384 runs. India won the match by 171 runs after Harbhajan Singh bowled Australia out for 212 with 6/73, including the first hat-trick ever by an Indian in tests. 

Cover Credits - BCCI Official