a

Who Has Taken The Most Wickets in Test Cricket? | List of The Top 26 Highest Wicket Takers In Test Cricket History

Who has taken the most wickets in Test cricket?

Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (792), Jimmy Anderson* (688), Anil Kumble (619), Stuart Broad* (600), Glenn Mcgrath (563), and Courtney Walsh (519) have taken the most wickets in Test cricket.

Today, we go in-depth and discuss the stats and characteristics of the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket. Here is the comprehensive list of the Top 26 cricketers with the most wickets in Test cricket.

Also Read: Who Has the Most Test Centuries in Cricket History?| List of Top 25 Cricketers with Test Hundreds, 155 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s), List of Top 35 Run Scorers in Test History

Key Takeaways

  • 26 bowlers have taken 350 or more wickets in Test cricket. From this, 17 bowlers have taken 400+ wickets, while only 7 have scaled the 500+ mountain.
  • 18 fast bowlers, six off-spinners, and two leg-spinners make up the list of 26 highest wicket-takers in Test history. 23 of them are right-arm bowlers while three are left-arm bowlers.
  • Australia and India (4) have produced the most bowlers with 350+ Test wickets, while Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England, and New Zealand (3) are tied for second place.
  • Jimmy Anderson (688), Stuart Broad (589), Nathan Lyon (496), and Ravichandran Ashwin (474) are the only active cricketers on this list.

*still playing

Test Cricket Bowling Records: Top 25 Highest Wicket-Takers in Test Cricket History

Test cricket is one of the oldest and most revered forms of the game.

Through its long and storied history, some truly great bowlers have emerged, with many of them going on to become the greatest wicket-takers in Test cricket history. In this article, we’ll look at a list of the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history, and what makes them among the best bowlers that ever played the game.

Let’s take a look.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 800 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1992-2010
  • Test Matches Played: 133
  • Average: 22.72, Strike Rate: 55.04
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 67/22

Muttiah Muralitharan, a Sri Lanka offspinner, is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. He achieved these feats throughout his career between 1992 and 2010 — his bowling average was a spectacular 22.72. With an unusual action, fear in his eyes, and skill on display, Murali regularly blew the opposition away.

Embed from Getty Images

2. Shane Warne (Australia) – 708 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1992-2007
  • Test Matches Played: 145
  • Average: 25.41, Strike Rate: 57.49
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 37/10

Shane Warne was considered one of the best bowlers of all time. He made leg spin cool and bowled some of the balls of the century.

RIP Legend.

Embed from Getty Images

3. James Anderson (England) – 688* Test wickets

  • Years Played: 2003-
  • Test Matches Played: 182*
  • Average: 26.27, Strike Rate: 56.4
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 32/3

James Anderson is probably the golden standard of swing bowling in Test cricket. He started playing bowling in 2003 and is still going strong. His longevity is one to admire, and his consistency one to emulate. We can just hope this journey continues for a few more Tests.

Embed from Getty Images

4. Anil Kumble (India) – 619 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1990-2008
  • Test Matches Played: 132
  • Average: 29.65, Strike Rate: 65.99
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 35/8

Anil Kumble was known for his accurate leg-spin skills. Fortitude and desire were the main elements in Kumble’s game. ‘Jumbo’ as he was referred to, was a mainstay for Indian cricket for more than a decade. He will always be remembered for the 10-fer vs Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Embed from Getty Images

5. Stuart Broad (England) – 600* Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 2007-
  • Test Matches Played: 166*
  • Average: 27.60, Strike Rate: 55.6
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 20/3

Since starting his Test match career in 2007, England’s Stuart Broad has been regarded as a favorite by many. With Jimmy Anderson, Broad formed a formidable partnership for years to come. When he is in form, Broad’s spells are a joy to witness.

Embed from Getty Images

6. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 563 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1993-2007
  • Test Matches Played: 124
  • Average: 21.64, Strike Rate: 51.95
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 29/3

Australian quick bowler Glenn McGrath has become a cult figure with his length and his line. An iconic cricketer, he created a destructive combination with Shane Warne during Australia’s golden generation.

Embed from Getty Images

7. Courtney Walsh (West Indies) – 519 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1984-2001
  • Test Matches Played: 132
  • Average: 24.44, Strike Rate: 57.84
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 22/3

Courtney Walsh, a West Indian Indian fast bowler, is well known for his longevity, speed, and precision. His fast-bowling relationship with Curtly Ambrose was an aggressive and intimidating experience.

Embed from Getty Images

8. Nathan Lyon (Australia) – 496* Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 2011-
  • Test Matches Played: 122*
  • Average: 31.00, Strike Rate: 63035
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 23/4

In 2011 Nathan Lyon made his first appearance as Australia’s leading spin bowler. Lyon is known for his enduring tenacity and has been one of the iconic off-spinners of his generation.

Embed from Getty Images

9. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 474* Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 2011-
  • Test Matches Played: 92*
  • Average: 23.93, Strike Rate: 51.84
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 32/7

Ravichandran Ashwin is the most successful spin-bowling all-rounder India has ever produced. His range of spinning deliveries has consistently earned him wickets and is one of the great thinkers of the game. In addition to his impressive bowling stats, Ashwin also boasts 5 Test centuries.

Embed from Getty Images

10. Dale Steyn (South Africa) – 439 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 2004–2019
  • Test Matches Played: 93
  • Average: 22.95, Strike Rate: 42.38
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 26/5

Dale Steyn was one of the most feared fast bowlers in Test cricket for over a decade, and his stats prove it. With an impressive strike rate of 42.38, Steyn consistently took wickets throughout his career to become South Africa’s most successful bowler since Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock. His ability to swing the ball both ways made him as dangerous as any bowler in the world.

Also Read: Dale Steyn, The Embodiment of Simplicity and Intensity, Retires—The Greatest Fast Bowler of Them All

Embed from Getty Images

11. Kapil Dev (India) – 434 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1978–1994
  • Test Matches Played: 131
  • Average: 29.64, Strike Rate: 63.91
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 23/2

Kapil Dev is considered by many to be India’s greatest-ever cricketer. Although not a traditionally fast bowler like Dale Steyn or Malcolm Marshall, Kapil had a great ability to extract bounce from any pitch and was capable of bowling long spells of accuracy with great success – something that often goes unrecognized.

Embed from Getty Images

12. Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) – 433 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1999–2018
  • Test Matches Played: 93
  • Average: 28.07, Strike Rate: 60.03
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 34/9

Rangana Herath is one of the most successful spin bowlers to ever play Test cricket and was a mainstay in the Sri Lankan team since his debut in 1999. His ability to extract turn from even the driest of pitches made him one of the toughest bowlers to face, as did his commitment to bowling accurate line and length for long periods of time. In addition, Herath was also capable of picking up wickets in quick succession, making him a dangerous bowler in the fourth innings.

Embed from Getty Images

13. Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 431 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1973–1990
  • Test Matches Played: 86
  • Average: 22.29, Strike Rate: 50.85
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 36/9

Sir Richard Hadlee is one of the greatest all-rounders to grace the cricket field and was a regular in the New Zealand Test team from 1973 until 1990. A genuine fast bowler with great swing and accuracy, Sir Richard picked up 431 wickets over his career at an outstanding average of 22 – making him one of the most successful bowlers in Test cricket history.

Embed from Getty Images

14. Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 421 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1995–2008
  • Test Matches Played: 108
  • Average: 23.11, Strike Rate: 57.84
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 16/1

In spite of his relative lack of pace, Pollock was able to compensate with impeccable accuracy and line & length, and the result was 421 Test wickets at an impressive average of 23. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his knack for picking up wickets in clusters, saw him play a crucial role in South Africa’s rise as a cricketing superpower.

Embed from Getty Images

15. Harbhajan Singh (India) – 417 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1998–2015
  • Test Matches Played: 103
  • Average: 32.46, Strike Rate: 68.53
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 25/5

Harbhajan Singh is one of India’s most famous spinners and was central to India’s famous series win over Australia on home soil in 2001. With 417 Test wickets under his belt and an economy rate of just under three runs per over, Harbhajan consistently proved himself to be a valuable asset for the Indian team. His ability to take wickets in clusters, combined with his sharp off-breaks and top spinners, made him one of the most successful spinners in Indian Test cricket history.

Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT): The Definitive Guide (Updated 2023), Complete History, Most Runs, Most Wickets, and BGT 2023 Schedule

Embed from Getty Images

16. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 414 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1985–2002
  • Test Matches Played: 104
  • Average: 23.62, Strike Rate: 54.65
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 25/5

Wasim Akram is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers ever to have graced a cricket field and it is no surprise that he is also amongst the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history with 414 scalps throughout his illustrious career. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his nagging accuracy and excellent control made him a nightmare for batsmen all over the world. He is certainly a legend of the game.

Embed from Getty Images

17. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies) – 405 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1988–2000
  • Test Matches Played: 98
  • Average: 20.99, Strike Rate: 54.57
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 22/3

Curtly Ambrose had an exceptional ability to extract bounce from any surface. One of the most dangerous bowlers of his time, he produced some of the most devastating spells of all time. Also a decent musician.

Also Read: 24 Cricketers with Musical Talent Who Will Rock You Ft. Don Bradman, Sreesanth, and AB De Villiers

Embed from Getty Images

18. Makhaya Ntini (South Africa) – 390 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1998–2009
  • Test Matches Played: 101
  • Average: 28.82, Strike Rate: 53.42
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 18/4

Makhaya Ntini was one of South Africa’s most successful bowlers in Test cricket and a mainstay in the Proteas team since his debut in 1998. With Pollock, Kallis, Donald, and later Steyn, Morkel, Rabada, Ngidi, & Nortje, his influence on South Africa’s pace bowling cannot be understated.

Embed from Getty Images

19. Ian Botham (England) – 383 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1977–1992
  • Test Matches Played: 102
  • Average: 28.40, Strike Rate: 56.95
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 27/4

Sir Ian Botham is undoubtedly one of the greatest all-rounders ever to play cricket. Along with Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, & Sir Richard Hadlee, these four formed the golden generation of all-rounders.

Embed from Getty Images

20. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) – 376 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1978–1991
  • Test Matches Played: 81
  • Average: 20.94, Strike Rate: 46.76
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 22/4

Malcolm Marshall boasts an envious bowling strike rate of 46.76 and was one of the core bowlers in THAT West Indies side.

Also Read: Top 5 Greatest Cricket Teams Ever To Be Assembled

Embed from Getty Images

21. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 373 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 198902003
  • Test Matches Played: 87
  • Average: 23.56, Strike Rate: 43.49
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 22/5

Apart from Malcolm Marshall & Dale Steyn, Waqar Younis is the other fast bowler with a bowling strike rate in the low forties. With the ability to break stumps at will and bowl deadly yorkers, he formed the perfect foil with Wasim Akram.

Embed from Getty Images

22. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 370 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 2008–
  • Test Matches Played: 94*
  • Average: 28.98, Strike Rate: 58.40
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 15/1

Tim Southee is one of New Zealand’s most successful bowlers in Test cricket and has been a mainstay in the Black Caps team since his debut in 2008. He is best known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his accurate line & length and good control. After 2014, it was the partnership of Southee-Boult that would plant the seeds for the 2021 World Test Championship victory.

Also Read: World Test Championship Final Review 2021, Prediction Results, WTC XI, and Stats: It Is New Zealand’s Time

Embed from Getty Images

23. Imran Khan (Pakistan) – 362 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1971–1992
  • Test Matches Played: 88
  • Average: 22.81, Strike Rate: 53.75
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 23/6

Imran Khan is one of the greatest icons of Pakistan cricket. He holds the distinction of leading a nation to a World Cup victory…as well as leading a nation as a Prime Minister.

Embed from Getty Images

24. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 362 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1997–2014
  • Test Matches Played: 113
  • Average: 34.36, Strike Rate: 79.59
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 20/3

Daniel Vettori was New Zealand’s sole spin sensation in a land of fast bowlers, swing kings, and dibbly-dobbler specialists. Although his strike rate is a bit on the high side, it was the economy of 2.59 that helped the Kiwis to maintain control.

Embed from Getty Images

25. Dennis Lillee (Australia) – 355 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1971-1984
  • Test Matches Played: 70
  • Average: 23.92, Strike Rate: 52.01
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 23/7

Perhaps the original star of the art of fast bowling in modern-day Test cricket, Lillee would become an inspiration for future generations.

Embed from Getty Images

26. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) – 355 Test Wickets

  • Years Played: 1994–2009
  • Test Matches Played: 111
  • Average: 29.58, Strike Rate: 66.02
  • 5-fer/10-fer: 12/2

The final bowler on the 350+ Test wicket list is none other than Chaminda Vaas. Central to Sri Lanka’s rise into the upper echelons of Test cricket, Vaas became their most successful fast bowler.

Embed from Getty Images

Final Thoughts

The list of the highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history is a testament to the skill, determination, and excellence that each of these great players has shown throughout their careers.

Each bowler has left an indelible mark on the game, making them all true legends of the sport.

These bowlers have set a high standard for future generations to strive for and will undoubtedly be remembered as some of the greatest Test cricketers ever.

Who is your all-time favorite bowler in Test cricket?

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has taken the most wickets in Test cricket?

Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most wickets in Test cricket (800).

Can Jimmy Anderson take 700 Test wickets?

Yes, Jimmy Anderson is currently on 685 wickets and will play the 5-match Ashes series against England at home. He may not play all the matches but should still get to the coveted 700-wicket mark.

Who has 4000 runs and 400 wickets in Test matches?

Kapil Dev is the only Indian player with 4000 Test runs and 400 Test wickets in Test history.

How many cricketers have taken 300 wickets or more in Test cricket?

37 bowlers have taken 300 or more wickets in Test cricket. From this, 26 have gone on to take 350 wickets, 17 have taken 400 wickets, and only 7 bowlers have taken 500+ Test wickets.

Who is the leading wicket-taker in Test for England?

Jimmy Anderson is the leader wicket-taker for England in Test cricket with 685 wickets to his name.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 06/10/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) India Australia Test Series: The Definitive Guide (Updated 2023), Complete History, Most Runs, Most Wickets, and BGT 2023 Schedule

This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), one of the most celebrated Test series in the cricket world today.

We will discuss the history of BGT, and look at some of the prominent players who have played a major role in making this tournament what it is today, including the most runs and wickets. The upcoming BGT 2023 schedule and how they can follow the tournament as it unfolds in India is also displayed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Border Gavaskar trophy has been held 15 times since 1996, 8 of which were hosted by India and 7 by Australia.
  • India has won the BorderGavaskar Trophy 9 times (96-97, 97-98, 2000-01, 04-05, 08-09, 2010-11, 12-13, 16-1)
  • Australia has won the Border Gavaskar Trophy 5 times (1999-2000, 04-05,07-08,11-12, 14-15).
  • Sachin Tendulkar (3262), Ricky Ponting (2555), and VVS Laxman (2434) are the highest run scorers in Border Gavaskar Trophy history.
  • Anil Kumble (111), Harbhajan Singh (95), and Nathan Lyon (94) are the highest wicket-takers in the Border -Gavaskar Trophy.
  • India has won in Australia twice (2018-19, 2020-21). Australia has won in India 4 times, but only once since 1996 (1947-48, 1956-57, 1959-60, 2004-05).
Embed from Getty Images

What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a Test series held between India and Australia named after Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. Although India and Australia have been playing Test series since 1947, this series officially began in 1996 when Australia toured India for one Test match. Since then, it has been held every 2-3 years in either India or Australia.

History of India vs Australia Test Series at a Glance

Since 1947, both Australia and India have hosted the Test series on 14 occasions each (28 series total). Australia has won 12 times each, India has won 11 times, and the series has been drawn five times. The entire table of the India-Australia Test series is summarized below.

*Note that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy officially begins in 1996.

HostSeason PlayedSeries WinnerSeries ScoreTests
Australia1947-1948Australia4-0 5
India1956-1957Australia2-03
India1959-1960Australia2-15
India1964-1965Drawn1-13
Australia1967-1968Australia4-04
India1969-1970Australia3-15
Australia1977-1978Australia3-25
India1979-1980India2-06
Australia1980-1981Drawn1-13
Australia1985-1986Drawn0-03
India1986-1987Drawn0-03
Australia1991-1992Australia4-05
India1996-1997*India1-01
India1997-1998India2-13
Australia1999-2000Australia3-03
India2000-2001India2-13
Australia2003-2004Drawn1-14
India2004-2005Australia2-14
Australia2007-2008Australia2-14
India2008-2009India2-04
India2010-2011India2-02
Australia2011-2012Australia4-04
India2012-2013India4-04
Australia2014-2015Australia2-04
India2016-2017India2-14
Australia2018-2019India2-14
Australia2020-2021India2-14
India2022-2023India2-14

History of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Now we will present each Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in detail, in reverse chronological order.

BGT 2022-23 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Nagpur, Delhi, Indore, Ahmedabad

This series was marked by the excellence of India’s three spin allrounders – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, & Axar Patel. Resurgence of Virat Kohli, Usman Khawaja’s defiance, and Nathan Lyon’s effectiveness were factors in yet another absorbing Test series.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2022-23: Ravichandran Ashwin
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2022-23: Usman Khawaja (333)
    • Marnus Labuschagne (244)
    • Virat Kohli (297), Axar Patel (264), Rohit Sharma (242)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2022-23: Ravichandran Ashwin (25)
    • Nathan Lyon (22), Todd Murphy (14)
    • Ravindra Jadeja (22), Mohammad Shami (9)

Scorecards

  1. India won by an innings & 132 runs *Ravindra Jadeja
  2. India won by 6 wickets *Ravindra Jadeja
  3. Australia won by 9 wickets *Nathan Lyon
  4. Match Drawn *Virat Kohli

BGT 2020-21 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane (GABBA)
Embed from Getty Images

Virat Kohli’s 50, Tim Paine’s rearguard effort, 36 ALL OUT, Ajinkya Rahane’s Melbourne 100 & captaincy, Shubman Gill’s emergence, Smith and Labuschagne’s successful partnership, and Pat Cummins doing it all. Siraj suffers but delivers, Thakur & Sundar lead India’s next generation, Ashwin-Paine spice up the tournament, Vihari takes body blows, and the yin and yang of Pujara-Pant gives India series victory and breaches the Gabba fortress.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2020-21: Pat Cummins
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2020-21: Marnus Labuschagne (426)
    • Steven Smith (426)
    • Rishabh Pant (274), Cheteshwar Pujara (271), Ajinkya Rahane (268)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2020-21: Pat Cummins (21)
    • Josh Hazlewood (17), Mitchell Starc (11)
    • Mohammad Siraj (13), Ravichandran Ashwin (12), Jasprit Bumrah (11)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 8 wickets *Tim Paine
  2. India won by 8 wickets *Ajinkya Rahane
  3. Match Drawn *Steven Smith
  4. India won by 3 wickets *Rishabh Pant

*Denotes Player of the Match Award

Also Read: India Vs Australia Series Review 2020-21: The Greatest Story of Them All? Better Than Ashes 2005?-, Top 10 Life Lessons From India Vs Australia 2020: Courage, Character, Resilience – Which One Is Your Favorite?

Note: Bharat Sundaresan is going to release his book on the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy during the 2023 BGT in India. He was in the thick of things traveling to each city and discussing the events of each day with Melinda Farrell.

BGT 2018-19 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Adelaide, Perth (Perth Stadium), Melbourne, Sydney
Embed from Getty Images

If you saw the first season of The Test, you will realize what a thorn Pujara was in Australia’s plans. He defended, defended, and defended some more. In the process, he scored tons of runs. Rishabh Pant & Tim Paine provided several cute moments, Nathan Lyon vs Pujara & Pant was mesmerizing. Bumrah’s slower delivery to dismiss Shaun Marsh will forever be etched in memory. To sum it up though, it was Kohli’s captaincy and the fast-bowling revolution was key to India’s success. Australia was without the services of Warner & Smith as they tried to recover from the ball tampering scandal, but this does not take anything away from India.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2018-19: Cheteshwar Pujara
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2018-19: Cheteshwar Pujara (521)
    • Rishabh Pant (350), Virat Kohli (282)
    • Marcus Harris (258), Travis Head (237)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2018-19: Jasprit Bumrah, Nathan Lyon
    • Mohammad Shami (16)
    • Pat Cummins (14), Josh Hazlewood (13), Mitchell Starc (13)

Scorecards

  1. India won by 31 runs *Cheteshwar Pujara
  2. Australia won by 146 runs *Nathan Lyon
  3. India won by 137 runs *Jasprit Bumrah
  4. Match Drawn *Cheteshwar Pujara

BGT 2016-17 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Pune, Bengaluru, Ranchi, Dharamsala
Steven Smith celebrates after scoring 109 in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2016-17.
Steven Smith’s 109 in Pune – One of the greatest centuries on Indian soil by an Australian batter.

Australia started with a massive win and hope to win a series in India. Pujara scored another double century and a couple of fifties. Beginning to be a pattern, isn’t it? Steve Smith with scores of 109, 178, 111 was at his absolute best, but the Ravis (Ashwin & Jadeja) were just too hot to handle. Other players played decent roles as well. Nathan Lyon took an eight-for and Steve O’Keefe delivered that first win with 6-fers. KL Rahul with twin fifties, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Rahane, Wade all contributing as well in what was a competitive series.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2016-17: Ravindra Jadeja
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2016-17: Steven Smith (499)
    • Cheteshwar Pujara (405), KL Rahul (393), Ajinkya Rahane (198)
    • Matt Renshaw (232), Pete Handscomb (198)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2016-17: Ravindra Jadeja (25)
    • Ravichandran Ashwin (21), Umesh Yadav (17)
    • Steve O’Keefe (19), Nathan Lyon (19)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 333 runs *Steve O’Keefe
  2. India won by 75 runs *KL Rahul
  3. Match drawn *Cheteshwar Pujara
  4. India won by 8 wickets *Ravindra Jadeja

BGT 2014-15 (Australia 2-0)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
Embed from Getty Images

Although India did not exorcise the ghosts of 2011, Team India provided that glimmer of hope. It was Mitchell Johnson’s year and even though he was Australia’s highest wicket-taker, the partnership between Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane will be remembered forever. Just check this clip out. Virat Kohli’s twin tons in Adelaide made for a classic Test and set his career up. But Steve Smith. 769 Runs. Genius. Nathan Lyon. 23 Wickets. Australian legends coming into their own in this series. MS Dhoni surprises with his retirement after the 3rd Test, and Ryan Harris retires after yet another memorable performance.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2014-15: Steven Smith
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2014-15: Steven Smith (769)
    • Virat Kohli (692), Murali Vijay (482), Ajinkya Rahane (399)
    • David Warner (427), Chris Rogers (417)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2014-15: Nathan Lyon (23)
    • Mohammad Shami (15), Ravichandran Ashwin (12)
    • Mitchell Johnson (13), Josh Hazlewood (12)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 48 runs *Nathan Lyon
  2. Australia won by 4 wickets *Steven Smith
  3. Match Drawn *Ryan Harris
  4. Match Drawn *Steven Smith

BGT 2012-13 (India 4-0)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Chennai, Hyderabad, Mohali, Delhi

Michael Clarke’s unforgettable year, MS Dhoni’s double, and the greatness that Ravichandran Ashwin is. Pujara scored a double as well, and Vijay continued in the prime of his life with 167. But this series will be remembered for Shikhar Dhawan’s glorious 187 on debut, Starc’s 99 at #8, and Steven Smith starting to make runs on Asian soil.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2012-13: Ravichandran Ashwin
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2012-13: Murali Vijay (430)
    • Cheteshwar Pujara (410), MS Dhoni (326), Virat Kohli (284)
    • Michael Clarke (286), Ed Cowan (265), David Warner (192)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2012-13: Ravichandran Ashwin (29)
    • Ravindra Jadeja (24), Pragyan Ojha (7), Ishant Sharma (7)
    • Nathan Lyon (15), James Pattinson (9), Peter Siddle (9), Glenn Maxwell (7)

Scorecards

  1. India won by 8 wickets *MS Dhoni
  2. India won by an innings and 135 runs *Cheteshwar Pujara
  3. India won by 6 wickets *Shikhar Dhawan
  4. India won by 6 wickets *Ravindra Jadeja

Source: Border Gavaskar Trophy 2012-13

BGT 2011-12 (Australia 4-0)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide
Embed from Getty Images

Australia crushes India. Shall I say anymore? A drubbing. A disaster. Michael Clarke smashes 329* and 210, Ricky Ponting averages 108.8 and also scores a double. Hilfenhaus & Siddle take 50 wickets among themselves. James Pattinson announces himself (briefly) on the international stage. Rahul Dravid gets bowled 7 times. An end of an era. Kohli’s 116 in the 4th Test India’s only positive. This tour will always be remembered for the infamous 0-8.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2011-12: Michael Clarke
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2011-12: Michael Clarke (626)
    • Ricky Ponting (544), Mike Hussey (293), David Warner (266)
    • Virat Kohli (300), Sachin Tendulkar (287)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2011-12: Ben Hilfenhaus (27)
    • Peter Siddle (23), James Pattinson (11)
    • Zaheer Khan (15), Umesh Yadav (14)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 122 runs *James Pattinson
  2. Australia won by an innings and 68 runs *Michael Clarke
  3. Australia won by an innings and 37 runs *David Warner
  4. Australia won by 298 runs *Peter Siddle

Source: BGT 2011-12

BGT 2010-11 (India 2-0)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 2
  • Venues: Mohali, Bengaluru

Short but sweet series. The Mohali Test is an all-time classic. VVS Laxman, back spasms, and a successful chase with the lower order. In the second Test, Tendulkar continued his dream resurgent year with 214 & 53*. In the second innings, Rahul Dravid was yet again going to be demoted from his #3 position for someone else. That someone else turned out to be Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a counterattacking 72. Cheteshwar Pujara—counterattacking Australians since 2010.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2010-11: Sachin Tendulkar
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2010-11: Sachin Tendulkar (403)
    • Murali Vijay (176), Suresh Raina (118)
    • Shane Watson (271), Ricky Ponting (224), Tim Paine (183), Marcus North (141)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2010-11: Zaheer Khan (12)
    • Harbhajan Singh (11), Pragyan Ojha (9)
    • Mitchell Johnson (8), Ben Hilfenhaus (8), Nathan Hauritz (6)

Scorecards

  1. India won by 1 wicket *Zaheer Khan
  2. India won by 7 wickets *Sachin Tendulkar

Sources: BGT 2010-11

BGT 2008-09 (India 2-0)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Bengaluru, Mohali, Delhi, Nagpur
Embed from Getty Images

Anil Kumble retires at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Ishant Sharma continues his growth with a player of the series performance. Although Hussey, Katich, Johnson, Krezja, and Watson played key roles for Australia, it was clear that Australia was in a transition era.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2008-09: Ishant Sharma
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2008-09: Gautam Gambhir (463)
    • Sachin Tendulkar (396), VVS Laxman (381), Virender Sehwag (351)
    • Mike Hussey (394), Simon Katich (349)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2008-09: Ishant Sharma (15)
    • Harbhajan Singh (15), Amit Mishra (14), Zaheer Khan (11)
    • Mitchell Johnson (13), Jason Krezja (12), Shane Watson (10)

Scorecards

  1. Match Drawn *Zaheer Khan
  2. India won by 320 runs *MS Dhoni
  3. Match Drawn *VVS Laxman
  4. India won by 172 runs *Jason Krejza

Sources: BGT 2008-09

BGT 2007-08 (Australia 2-1)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide
Embed from Getty Images

The series turned out to have both off-field and on-field drama. What began as a great era of Test series from 2000-01 ended with 2007-08 with some questionable decisions and the Monkeygate crisis. Tendulkar still scored runs, Anil Kumble still took wickets, but Brett Lee was the pick of the players in the series.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2007-08: Brett Lee
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2007-08: Sachin Tendulkar (493)
    • VVS Laxman (366), Virender Sehwag (286)
    • Matthew Hayden (410), Andrew Symonds (410), Michael Clarke (316), Michael Hussey (292), Ricky Ponting (268)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2007-08: Brett Lee (24)
    • Mitchell Johnson (16), Stuart Clark (14)
    • Anil Kumble (20), RP Singh (13)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 337 runs *Matthew Hayden
  2. Australia won by 122 runs *Andrew Symonds
  3. India won by 72 runs *Irfan Pathan
  4. Match Drawn *Sachin Tendulkar

Sources BGT 2004-05

BGT 2004-05 (Australia 2-1)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Bengaluru, Chennai, Nagpur, Mumbai (Wankhede)
Embed from Getty Images

Australia finally breaches the India fortress feat Damien Martyn. A young Michael Clarke, game-changing Gilchrist, and Gillespie all contributed to their effort. India’s spin trios—Kumble, Harbhajan, and Murali Kartik took 60 wickets among themselves but fell short.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2004-05: Damien Martyn
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2004-05: Damien Martyn (444)
    • Michael Clarke (400), Simon Katich (276), Matthew Hayden (244), Justin Langer (228), Adam Gilchrist (218)
    • Virender Sehwag (299), Rahul Dravid (167), Parthiv Patel (156), Mohammad Kaif (153)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2004-05: Anil Kumble (27)
    • Harbhajan Singh (21), Murali Kartik (12), Zaheer Khan (10)
    • Jason Gillespie (20), Glenn McGrath (14), Shane Warne (14)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 217 runs *Michael Clarke
  2. Match Drawn *Anil Kumble
  3. Australia won by 342 runs *Damien Martyn
  4. India won by 13 runs *Murali Kartik

Sources: BGT 2004-05

BGT 2003-04 (Drawn 1-1)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 4
  • Venues: Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney
Embed from Getty Images Embed

A series for the ages. Ricky Ponting & Rahul Dravid at the top of their games scoring 706 & 619 runs respectively. Dravid’s 233 & 72* with VVS Laxman torturing Australia once again. Sachin Tendulkar resists his cover drive temptation to score 241*, Kumble India’s top performer with the ball yet again, Ganguly scores a ton. Sehwag, Hayden, Martyn, Steve Waugh all among the runs. Gillespie, Agarkar, MacGill, and Lee among the wickets. Something for everybody. Many great players of this era in peak form. Deserved 1-1 drawn series.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2003-04: Rahul Dravid
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2003-04: Ricky Ponting (706)
    • Matthew Hayden (51), Justin Langer (369), Simon Katich (353)
    • Rahul Dravid (619), VVS Laxman (494), Virender Sehwag (464), Sachin Tendulkar (383)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2003-04: Anil Kumble (24)
    • Ajit Agarkar (16)
    • Stuart MacGill (14), Jason Gillespie (10), Brett Lee (8)

Scorecards

  1. Match Drawn *Sourav Ganguly
  2. India won by 4 wickets *Rahul Dravid
  3. Australia won by 9 wickets *Ricky Ponting
  4. Match Drawn *Sachin Tendulkar

Sources: BGT 2003-04

BGT 2000-01 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 3
  • Venues: Mumbai (Wankhede), Kolkata, Chennai
Embed from Getty Images

The series that began the rivalry. Steve Waugh’s final frontier was so close, yet so far. VVS Laxman’s greatest innings of the century, the 281, and the partnership turned narrative around for this series and Indian cricket in general. Shane Warne’s expression that day said it all. Sourav Ganguly, the charasmatic captain leading India after the match-fixing era, Sachin Tendulkar doing what he does best (along with his googlies), and Harbhajan Singh being a class apart. India’s top three bowlers in the charts read: Harbhajan (32), Tendulkar (3), Zaheer Khan (3). From Australia’s end, Hayden, McGrath, Gilchrist, Waugh, Warne, and Gillespie all played a role in the series.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 2000-01: Harbhajan Singh
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 2000-01: Matthew Hayden (549)
    • Steve Waugh (243), Michael Slater (166)
    • VVS Laxman (503), Rahul Dravid (338), Sachin Tendulkar (304), SS Das (173)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 2000-01: Harbhajan Singh (32)
    • Sachin Tendulkar (3), Zaheer Khan (3)
    • Glenn McGrath (17), Jason Gillespie (13), Shane Warne (10), CR Miller (6), Mark Waugh (3)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 10 wickets *Adam Gilchrist
  2. India won by 171 runs *VVS Laxman
  3. India won by 2 wickets *Matthew Hayden

Sources: BGT 2000-01

BGT 1999-2000 (Australia 3-0)

  • Hosts: Australia
  • Number of Tests: 3
  • Venues: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney
Embed from Getty Images

With the exception of individual performances by India, Australia completely blew the visitors away. Ricky Ponting was the top run-scorer and Glenn McGrath was the highest wicket taker of ther series, two names that would come up time and again over the next decade. Tendulkar was the player of the series, but VVS Laxman’s 167 gave Australia a taste of what they were about to face in the future.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 1999-2000: Sachin Tendulkar
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 1999-2000: Ricky Ponting (375)
    • Justin Langer (289), Steve Waugh (276), Adam Gilcrist (221)
    • Sachin Tendulkar (278), VVS Laxman (221), Sourav Ganguly (177)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 1999-2000: Glenn McGrath (18)
    • Brett Lee (13), Damien Fleming (12), Shane Warne (8)
    • Ajit Agarkar (11), Javagal Srinath (10), Venkatesh Prasad (7)

Scorecards

  1. Australia won by 285 runs *Steve Waugh
  2. Australia won by 180 runs *Sachin Tendulkar
  3. Australia won by an innings and 141 runs *Glenn McGrath

Sources: BGT 1999-2000

BGT 1997-98 (India 2-1)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 3
  • Venues: Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru
Embed from Getty Images

1998—The year of Sachin Tendulkar. He continued his Sharjah exploits in Test cricket. Here is a clip of the battle between Shane Warne vs Sachin Tendulkar in India for the first time. Although Australia got a consolation win, India defeated Australia by healthy margins in the first two Tests.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 1997-98: Sachin Tendulkar
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 1997-98: Sachin Tendulkar (446)
    • Navjot Singh Sidhu (341), Mohammad Azharuddin (311)
    • Mark Waugh (280), Mark Taylor (189), Ian Healy (165)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 1997-98: Anil Kumble (23)
    • Javagal Srinath (8), Venkatapathy Raju (7)
    • Gavin Robertson (12), Shane Warne (10), Michael Kasprowicz (8)

Scorecards

  1. India won by 179 runs *Sachin Tendulkar
  2. India won by an innings and 219 runs *Javagal Srinath
  3. Australia won by 8 wickets *Michael Kasprowicz

Sources: BGT 1997-98

BGT 1996-97 (India 1-0)

  • Hosts: India
  • Number of Tests: 1
  • Venues: Delhi
Embed from Getty Images

Nayan Mongia starred in India’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win over Australia. Another key contributor, Anil Kumble, would stand up again and again in the India-Australia Tests for years to come.

Stats

  • Player of the Series in BGT 1996-97: Nayan Mongia
  • Highest Runs Scorer in BGT 1996-97: Nayan Mongia (152)
  • Highest Wicket-Taker in BGT 1996-97: Anil Kumble (9)

Scorecards

  1. India won by 7 wickets *Nayan Mongia

Sources: BGT 1996-97

2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Schedule

The schedule for the 2023 BGT 2023 is shown below:

  • 1st Test, Nagpur, 9-13 February, 2023
  • 2nd Test, Delhi, 17-21 February, 2023
  • 3rd Test, Dharamsala, 1-5 March, 2023
  • 4th Test, Ahmedabad, 9-13 March, 2023

The ODI series is scheduled as follows:

  • 1st ODI (D/N), Mumbai (Wankhede), 17 March, 2023
  • 2nd ODI (D/N), Visakhapatnam, 19 March, 2023
  • 3rd ODI (D/N), Chennai, 22 March 2023

Who were Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border?

Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border were two of the greatest cricketers in history.

Gavaskar was an iconic Indian batsman who played 125 Tests for India, scoring a then-record 34 centuries. He held several batting records and is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen ever to have graced the game. On the other hand, Border was an Australian all-rounder who captained Australia to their first World Cup win in 1987. He played 156 Tests for Australia and is widely considered to be one of the greatest captains of all time. Together, these two legends were instrumental in establishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which has become one of the most eagerly anticipated cricket series.

Also Read: 151 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s)

Final Thoughts

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was established in 1996 as a tribute to two of cricket’s finest players, Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. The series has since become one of the most anticipated events in international cricket, with some of the greatest matches being played between India and Australia over the past two decades. The trophy is contested every two years, alternating between India and Australia, with the last edition being hosted Down Under in 2020-21. The series has seen some of the greatest contests in cricket history, providing for a thrilling and intense experience for all fans.

We will just wait and watch what BGT 2023 has to offer. With all the recent past, I’m sure it will be nothing short of delightful.

Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was established in 1996 as a tribute to two of cricket’s finest players, Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. The series has since become one of the most anticipated events in international cricket, with some of the greatest matches being played between India and Australia over the past two decades. The trophy is contested e very two years, alternating between India and Australia, with the last edition being hosted Down Under in 2018-19. The series has seen some of the greatest contests in cricket history, providing for a thrilling and intense experience for all fans.

When is the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

The next Border-Gavaskar Trophy will take place in February-March 2023 in India. It will consist of 4 Tests and 3 ODIs.

Who has won the most Border-Gavaskar trophies (BGT)?

India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 9 times, while Australia have held it five times.

How many times has India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia?

India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice (2018-19 & 2020-21).

How many times has Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in India?

Australia has won the Border Gavaskar Trophy exactly once in India (2004). However, Australia has won it thrice more before the inception of the BGT.

How many times has Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

Australia has won the BGT 5 times.

How many times has India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

India has won the BGT 9 times.

Who currently holds the Border Gavaskar Trophy?

India is the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning away from home 2-1 in 2020-21.

Resources

Sources: Australia v India Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com, Border-Gavaskar Trophy Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com, Border-Gavaskar Trophy Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com

Image Courtesy: Steve Smith 109 at Pune (AFP)

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC, 2023. Originally published on 01/29/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).