Anticipation is rising as India and Australia get ready for the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will start on Saturday, December 14, at The Gabba in Brisbane.
India played brilliantly in the first Test, winning by a huge margin of 295 runs in Perth. However, Australia made a strong comeback in the second Test (the pink-ball Test) in Adelaide, winning by 10 wickets and leveling the series 1-1 after two matches in this five-match series.
Now, all eyes are on Brisbane, where India had a historic win during their 2020-21 tour. That remains India’s only victory at The Gabba out of seven Tests, with the rest resulting in losses and one draw. As the third Test approaches, let’s take a look at the top five best performances by Indian batsmen at The Gabba.
#5 Shubman Gill – 91
Shubman Gill’s 91 runs in the fourth and final Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy make him number five on the list. Batting first, Australia scored 369 runs, with Marnus Labuschagne making 108. In response, India made 336, thanks to solid contributions from Washington Sundar (62) and Shardul Thakur (67). Australia set India a target of 328 runs in the second innings, and Gill’s crucial 91 off 146 balls played a big part in India’s chase, though he fell just short of a century. India eventually won by three wickets, with Cheteshwar Pujara (56) and Rishabh Pant (89*) also making key contributions.
#4 Murali Vijay – 144
In the second Test of the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at The Gabba, Murali Vijay made a fantastic 144 runs off 213 balls, which included 22 boundaries. Ajinkya Rahane also chipped in with 81 runs as India posted 408 in their first innings. Australia replied with 505, with Steven Smith scoring 133. In India’s second innings, they were dismissed for just 224, setting Australia a target of 128 runs. Unfortunately, Australia won by four wickets.
#3 Sourav Ganguly – 144
During India’s 2003-04 tour to Australia, Sourav Ganguly played a brilliant knock of 144 off 196 balls, including 18 boundaries, in the first Test at The Gabba. India posted 409 runs in their first innings after Australia had made 323. Australia declared their second innings at 284/3, with Matthew Hayden contributing 99 runs. India ended their second innings at 73/2, and the match ended in a draw.
#2 Rishabh Pant – 89*
Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 runs in the fourth innings of the 2020-21 Test series at The Gabba comes in second place. India was chasing a challenging target of 328 runs, and while Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) played important roles, it was Pant who finished the job. He remained not out on 89 off 138 balls, hitting nine boundaries and one six, leading India to a historic three-wicket win. This win made India the first team in 32 years to defeat Australia at The Gabba.
#1 Sunil Gavaskar – 113
The top spot goes to Sunil Gavaskar for his outstanding 113 runs in the 1977 Test match at The Gabba. After India bowled Australia out for just 166 in the first innings, they were all out for only 153. Australia then made 327 in their second innings, setting India a target of 341. Gavaskar played a magnificent knock of 113 runs off 264 balls in the chase, but unfortunately, India lost the match by 16 runs.
These performances at The Gabba have become part of Indian cricket history, and as India and Australia prepare for the upcoming Test, these iconic knocks continue to inspire.
