Aus vs India Special: Complete List of Records in Tests in Australia

Aus vs India 2020: Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting hold most of the records as we look at the complete list of unique Test records between both the teams in Australia. 

After an equinoctial result from the ODI and T20I series with Australia and India winning them 2-1 respectively, we are now getting ready for the most exciting and the most challenging series for Team India in ongoing India’s tour of Australia, i.e the Test Series. Having toured for more than 70 years, It was only in 2018 that Team India won their first-ever Test series (2-1) against Australia in Australian soil. While it is definitely an achievement worth remembering, we need to also look at the fact that Australia were without their best batsmen, David Warner and Steve Smith.

Historically, India have won only 7 Tests in Australia, of which, 2 came in the last series. Whereas Australia have won 29 of them, and drew 12 of them. With David Warner and Steve Smith back in the mix, and Kohli not available from the second Test, it is going to be the toughest affair for the Indian team. Nevertheless, before we talk about the first Test match, let’s look at all records- batting, bowling, and Team across various categories for Test matches played between India vs Australia in Australia.

Team Record in Tests: Aus vs India in Australia

Total Tests Played: 48 

India: 7 Wins || Australia: 29 Wins || Draw: 12

#1: Highest Team Total

The highest team total belongs to India when they scored a mammoth 705/7 at Sydney in 2003-04 series. It was the innings when Sachin Tendulkar had hit his the then highest score in Tests, 241 runs. This innings is followed by Australia’s 674 at Adelaide in 1948. Which is then followed by Australia’s 659/4 at Sydney in 2012.

#2: Highest Successful Run Chase

Australia have the highest successful run chase record when they chased a mammoth score of 342 at Perth in 1977. The second-best run chase then takes a dive to 233 where India chased the target losing 6 wickets at Adelaide in 2003. The third-best run-chase is surprisingly just 130/6 by Australia in 2014. This shows, win the toss, and bat first is the first thing a Captain should do in Australia. 

#3: Lowest Team Total

Two of the top 3 lowest team total belong to Team India. For that, we have to go to India’s Independence year, 1947 when India were bowled out for a meagre 58 runs at Brisbane. The following year saw another low score total by Team India when they were bowled out for 67 runs at Melbourne. 33 years later, Australia registered their lowest total against India when they were bowled out for 83 runs at Melbourne. 

Batting Records in Tests in Australia:

#1: Most Runs

The retired legends, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar are almost neck-and-neck when it comes to most runs between both the teams in Tests in Australia. While Ponting is the leader with 1893 runs, Sachin is not far behind with 1809 runs. Following them is Team India’s current skipper, Virat Kohli with 1274 runs. 

#2: Most Runs in a Series:

Steve Smith, who scored a fabulous 769 runs in the 2014-15 series is first on the list. Following him are Sir Don Bradman with 715 runs, which he scored in 1947 and Ricky Ponting with 706 runs, which he scored in 2003-04 series. Virat Kohli, who scored 692 runs in 2014 has the best performance by an Indian. 

#3: Batting Average (Min 500 runs)

Sir Don Bradman with a total of 715 runs has a mind-blowing average of 178.8, and is first on the list. Following him is the modern-day legend, Steve Smith with 769 runs and 128.2 average. Third, on the list is another Aussie, Ricky Ponting with an average of 86. Cheteshwar Pujara has the highest average among Indians with 55.3.

#4: Highest Individual Score

Michael Clarke with his epic knock of 329 in Sydney in the 2012-13 series has the highest individual score between both the teams in Australia. Following him is his teammate, Ricky Ponting’s knock of 257 at Melbourne in 2003-04 series. The series also saw Sachin Tendulkar score a magnificent 241 at Sydney. However, Ponting’s knock of 242 at Adelaide in the same 2003-04 series is third on the list 

#5: Fours and Sixes

Sachin Tendulkar this time leads the fours chart with 209 fours, followed by Ricky Ponting at 197 fours and VVS Laxman with 165 fours. When it comes to sixes, it is a tie between Keith Miller, Virender Sehwag, and Rohit Sharma, who have hit 8 sixes apiece. However, Keith used only 5 innings to hit those, while Sehwag and Rohit used 20 and 10 innings respectively. 

#6: 100s and 50s

Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar once again at the top of the list with 7 centuries and 6 centuries respectively. Sachin’s disciple, Virat Kohli is equal with 6 centuries to his name. When it comes to fifties, Ponting and Sachin have struck 7 fifties each. Following them are Rahul Dravid and Chris Rogers with 6 fifties.   

Bowling Records in Tests in Australia:

#1: Most Wickets

The legendary Kapil Dev and modern-day spin G.O.A.T Nathan Lyon have taken the maximum number of wickets with 51 each to their name. Interestingly, both have taken exactly 11 matches / 21 innings to achieve this feat. Following them is Anil Kumble with 49 wickets. Among current Indian bowlers, Mohammed Shami with 31 wickets is 7^th on the list. 

#2: Most Wickets in a Series: 

Interestingly, two of the top three most wickets in a series belong to spinners. Bishan Singh Bedi leads the chart with 31 wickets in 1977-78 series. Following him is Craig Dermott again with 31 wickets, which came in 1991-92 series. These two are followed by BS Chandrashekhar and Wayne Clark with 28 wickets each- both came in the 1977-78 series.

#3: Bowling Average and Strike Rate (Min 20 wickets)

Jasprit Bumrah, who has taken 21 wickets has a fabulous average of 17. Following him is Bin Hilfenhaus with an average of 17.2, and Bruce Reid with an average of 20. When it comes to bowling Strike Rate, Peter Siddle with 20 wickets has a  superb strike rate of 36.4. Following him is Bin Hilfenhaus with a SR of 37.3 and Sir Dennis Lillee with a SR of 42.4.    

#4: Best Spell (Innings and Match)

Kapil Dev with his stunning spell of 8-106 in 1985 is first on the list of best spell in an innings in Australia. Following him is Anil Kumble’s 8-141 at Sydney in 2004. However, the best of the lot is the match-winning spell of 7-27 by Mike Whitney at WACA in 1992. 

When it comes to best bowling performance in a match, only Anil Kumble finds a place at third position with a spell of 12-286. The first place belongs to BS Chandrashekar, who had taken two 6-wicket hauls to register a match performance of 12/104. Following him is Bruce Reid with a spell 0f 12-126, who too had taken two 6-wicket hauls. 

#5: Five-wicket Hauls:

The most number of 5-wicket hauls belongs to Kapil Dev, who has taken five 5-wicket hauls. Following him are Anil Kumble and Nathan Lyon with four 5-wicket hauls each. Nathan Lyon has a golden chance to go pass Kapil Dev for the leading 5-wicket haul title. 

So, these have been the top records between India vs Australia Tests in Australia. 

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.