The rivalry between the Indian cricket team and the Australian men’s cricket team is one of the most celebrated matchups in Indian cricket history. Whenever these two sides meet, the contests are fierce, with players delivering unforgettable performances across all formats. Both nations are highly competitive, often pushing each other to the limit. Historically though, Australia has had the upper hand, winning more matches than India overall. Below is Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline-
Early Encounters (1947–1979)
The rivalry began in 1947– 48, when India toured Australia soon after independence. Australia, led by the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, dominated the series and won 4-0. In these early years, India found it difficult to compete with the strength and depth of the Australian side.
In 1956, Australia made their first visit to India for a Test series and secured a 2-0 victory. It wasn’t until the 1979–80 home series that India recorded their first Test series win against Australia. India won 2-0, a historic achievement that helped reshape their reputation in world cricket.
All Matches Played Between India and Australia
Summary of Results of Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline:
| Format | Matches Played | India Won | Australia Won | Draw/Tie/No Result |
| Test | 112 | 33 | 48 | 31 |
| ODI | 152 | 58 | 84 | 10 |
| T20I | 32 | 20 | 11 | 1 |
| Total | 296 | 111 | 143 | 42 |
ICC Tournaments
Australia holds the stronger record when it comes to the Cricket World Cup, with the two teams meeting 14 times. In the 2003 World Cup final, Australia outclassed India with a dominant performance. Most recently, in the 2023 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Australia once again proved too strong, beating India by 6 wickets.
In T20 World Cups, however, India has usually had the upper hand. Out of six encounters, India has won four. India famously lifted the 2007 T20 World Cup after defeating Pakistan in the final, and again in 2024 by overcoming South Africa. Australia’s major T20 success came in 2021, when they beat New Zealand to win the title.
The Champions Trophy also leans slightly in India’s favor. In the five matches between the two sides, India won three.
In the World Test Championship (WTC), Australia enjoys a small advantage. Of the 14 meetings, India has won five while Australia has claimed six victories, including the 2023 WTC Final, which Australia went on to win.
Head-to-Head in ICC Tournaments
| Tournament | Matches Played | India Won | Australia Won | Draw/Tie/No Result |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| ICC World Test Championship | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Total | 38 | 17 | 18 | 4 |
ICC Tournaments Won
India and Australia have faced off in several major ICC events, including the World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the World Test Championship, all run by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In terms of overall success, Australia has the edge with 10 ICC titles, while India has collected 7.
At the senior level, Australia’s tally includes 6 Cricket World Cups, 1 T20 World Cup, 2 Champions Trophies, and 1 World Test Championship. India, on the other hand, has won 2 Cricket World Cups, 2 T20 World Cups, and 3 Champions Trophies.
Australia is the most successful team in the ICC Cricket World Cup, having lifted the trophy six times, while India has managed the feat twice. In T20 cricket, India has won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup two times (2007 and 2024), compared to Australia’s one title in 2021.
In the ICC Champions Trophy, another prestigious ODI tournament, India has three wins, while Australia has two. The World Test Championship has seen Australia triumph once, with India reaching the final in both editions but finishing as the runner-up.
| Tournament | India | Australia |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 2 | 6 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 2 | 1 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 3 | 2 |
| ICC World Test Championship | 0 | 1 |
| ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup | 5 | 4 |
| Total | 12 | 14 |
ICC ODI World Cups (Head-to-Head)
| Year | Stage | Venue | Result |
| 1983 | Group Stage | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | Australia won by 162 runs |
| 1983 | Group Stage | Chelmsford | India won by 118 runs |
| 1987 | Group Stage | Chennai | Australia won by 1 run |
| 1987 | Group Stage | Delhi | India won by 56 runs |
| 1992 | Group Stage | Brisbane | Australia won by 1 run |
| 1996 | Group Stage | Mumbai | Australia won by 16 runs |
| 1999 | Group Stage | London | Australia won by 77 runs |
| 2003 | Group Stage | Centurion | Australia won by 9 wickets |
| 2003 | Final | Johannesburg | Australia won by 125 runs |
| 2011 | Quarterfinal | Ahmedabad | India won by 5 wickets |
| 2015 | Semifinal | Sydney | Australia won by 95 runs |
| 2019 | Group Stage | London | India won by 36 runs |
| 2023 | Group Stage | Chennai | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Final | Ahmedabad | Australia won by 6 wickets |
T20 World Cup Encounters
| Year | Venue | Result |
| 2007 | Durban | India won by 15 runs |
| 2010 | Barbados | Australia won by 49 runs |
| 2012 | Colombo | Australia won by 9 wickets |
| 2014 | Dhaka | India won by 73 runs |
| 2016 | Mohali | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2024 | Saint Lucia | India won by 24 runs |
Champions Trophy Match Results
| Year | Venue | Result | Player of the Match |
| 1998 | Dhaka | India won by 44 runs | Sachin Tendulkar |
| 2000 | Nairobi | India won by 20 runs | Yuvraj Singh |
| 2006 | Mohali | Australia won by 6 wickets | Damien Martyn |
| 2009 | Centurion | No result | – |
| 2025 | Dubai | India won by 4 wickets | Virat Kohli |
Historic Test Series Overview
The Test battles between India and Australia have produced some of the most unforgettable moments in cricket, marked by legendary performances on both sides. Below is a detailed look at their Test series history along with the key statistics.
Test Matches Played Between Australia & India
| Year | Tests | Australia | India | Drawn | Tied | Australia Captain | Result |
| 1947–48 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Don Bradman | Australia |
| 1956–57 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Ian Johnson Ray Lindwall (2nd test) | |
| 1959–60 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Richie Benaud | |
| 1964–65 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Bob Simpson | Drawn |
| 1967–68 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Bob Simpson (1st, 2nd tests) Bill Lawry | Australia |
| 1969–70 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Bill Lawry | |
| 1977–78 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Bob Simpson | |
| 1979–80 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | Kim Hughes | India |
| 1980–81 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Greg Chappell | Drawn |
| 1985–86 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Allan Border | Drawn |
| 1986–87 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Drawn | |
| 1991–92 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Australia | |
| 1996–97 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Mark Taylor | India |
| 1997–98 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | India | |
| 1999–2000 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Steve Waugh | Australia |
| 2000–01 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | India | |
| 2003–04 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Drawn | |
| 2004–05 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Adam Gilchrist (1-3 Tests) Ricky Ponting (4th Test) | Australia |
| 2007–08 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Ricky Ponting | Australia |
| 2008–09 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | India | |
| 2010–11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | India | |
| 2011–12 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Michael Clarke | Australia |
| 2012–13 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Michael Clarke Shane Watson (4th test) | India |
| 2014–15 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Michael Clarke (1st test) Steve Smith | Australia |
| 2016–17 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Steve Smith | India |
| 2018–19 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Tim Paine | India |
| 2020–21 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Tim Paine | India |
| 2022–23 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Pat Cummins Steve Smith (3rd & 4th tests) | India |
| 2024-25 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Pat Cummins | Australia |
Final Words
The India–Australia cricket rivalry is one of the biggest spectacles of the sport. Through Australia’s initial dominance to India’s emergence as a world powerhouse, the matches have provided drama, passion, and great performances. Australia may be ahead in total ICC trophies and World Cup victories, India has etched its place with historic Test victories and regular success in T20 cricket. It is this balance of power that makes this rivalry special-neither team dominates indefinitely, so that each clash is new and unpredictable. With both teams possessing world-class skill and ambitious young stars, the upcoming battles are sure to keep fans in suspense for years to come.
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