Australia vs India, Test series: Interesting stats from the rivalry
After the conclusion of warm-up games, Australia and India are all set to square-off in the historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The four-Test series begins with the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, from December 17. Meanwhile, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane will host the next three games. Over the years, the two nations have produced some riveting encounters. Let us decode some interesting numbers from the rivalry.
When did India secure their first series win over Australia?
The rivalry dates back to 1947, the first bilateral series between the two nations. Team India lost the five-match series 0-4, on the tour Down Under. Almost 32 years later (1979), the Indians secured their first-ever series win over Australia, defeating them 2-0. Overall, they have won 28 out of 98 Tests against Australia, having lost 42. Also, 27 of them have been drawn.
One of the two tied Tests in the history
In 1986, the first Test between India and Australia in Chennai resulted in a tie. Chasing 348, the Indians were bundled out on 347 in the final innings. Interestingly, the only other tied Test in history was held in 1960 (AUS vs WI).
India have managed to win only seven Tests in Australia
The two nations have played 12 bilateral series Down Under. As many as eight have been won by Australia, while three resulted in draw. In 2018/19, the Virat Kohli-led Team India won their first-ever Test series in Australia, the first Asian side to do so. It is interesting to note that India have won mere seven out of 48 Tests in the nation.
Aggregate runs in the series
In 2014/15, Kohli surpassed the great Rahul Dravid's record of aggregating most runs by an Indian in a Test series against Australia. The former smashed 692 from four Tests as compared to 619 of Dravid (2003/04). Kohli also slammed a record four hundreds in the series. On the same tour, Steve Smith (769) eclipsed Don Bradman's feat of 715 runs against India (1947).
A look at the intriguing player battles
Indian captain Kohli would be vulnerable against pace spearhead Pat Cummins as the latter has dismissed him four times in Test cricket. Kohli has scored only 66 runs against Cummins from 202 balls. His compatriot Cheteshwar Pujara has also been dismissed on four occasions by Josh Hazlewood. Meanwhile, Indian pacer Umesh Yadav has accounted for Smith's wicket four times in Tests.
