With an aim to qualify for the final of the 2025 World Test Championship, India have landed in Australia for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The players have reached the continent and have also kicked off the preparations for the series. India could be without the services of their captain, Rohit Sharma for the series opener. Jasprit Bumrah will lead India if Rohit isn't available.
The India-Australia rivalry has a long history and the fans wait to see the two teams lock horns in the red-ball cricket. As they wait for the start of the first Test match (from November 22) in Perth, here we have a look at 5 batsmen with most runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy –
Sachin Tendulkar
The Master Blaster tops the list of batsmen with most runs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The only batsman to breach the 3000-run mark in Tests between two teams, Sachin scored 3630 runs in 39 Tests. The ICC Hall of Famer hit 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries. Sachin though never won a Test series Down Under.
Ricky Ponting
Australia legend Ricky Ponting sits at the second spot in the elite list. The right-handed batsman scored 2555 runs in 29 Tests he played against India. Ponting batted with a solid average of 54.36. Ponting-led Australia managed 2 wins against India from 11 matches.
VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman always scored heavily against Australia and his highest score of 281 came against the visiting side in the famous 2001 Test series. Laxman scored 2434 runs against the Kangaroos in 29 Tests. He was part of the MS Dhoni-led team that got whitewashed in the 2011/12 series. He hit 6 centuries against Australia.
Rahul Dravid
The Wall of Indian cricket played 32 Tests against Australia and scored 2143 runs. He had an average of 39.68 against the Kangaroos. Dravid hit 2 centuries and 13 half-centuries. He retired from international cricket after the Australia tour in 2012.
Cheteshwar Pujara
The only active player in the list, Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 2074 runs against Australia in 25 Test matches. He has batted at a solid average of 49.38. Pujara lost his place in the Test team in 2023 and has been out of contention since then. The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee has made it clear that they have now moved on from Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.