The Indian cricket team first toured Australia for a Test series in 1947/48. However, it took them nearly three decades to secure their maiden Test victory on Australian soil. Winning a Test match in Australia has always been a formidable challenge for Asian teams due to the stark contrast between their home conditions and the fast, bouncy tracks of Australia.
India faced significant struggles in Australia, managing only three Test wins there throughout the 20th century. However, their fortunes changed in the 21st century, with six victories recorded over the last 24 years. Notably, India stands as the only Asian team to win a Test series in Australia—and they’ve achieved this remarkable feat on consecutive tours.
Complete List of Test Matches Won by India in Australia:
Melbourne, December 1977
Bishan Singh Bedi was the first captain to lead India to a test match victory on Australian soil. This win came on the 1977/78 tour in the third test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India didn’t have a great start to the test and lost both openers for ducks in the first innings.
But, Sunil Gavaskar’s century (118) and Gundappa Viswanath’s twin half-centuries (59 and 54) helped India remain alive in the test. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar (6/52 and 6/52) took 12 wickets in the game as India won the game by 222 runs.
Sydney, January 1978
After winning the MCG test on the 1977/78 tour, India won the next test at Sydney Cricket Ground. India declared their innings at 396/8, with Gundappa Viswanath (79) and Karsan Ghavari (64) scoring half-centuries.
Then, it was the Indian spin trio of Bishan Bedi, Bhagwath Chandrasekhar and Erapalli Prasanna who took 16 wickets between them in the match to dismiss Australia for 131 and 263. India won the match by an innings and two runs.
Melbourne, February 1981
India drew a test series in Australia (1-1) for the first time in 1980/81. That one win in that three-match test series came at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was a thrilling game.
In reply to India’s 237, Australia made 419 to take first innings lead of 182 runs. Trailing by a big score, Chetan Chauhan (85) and captain Sunil Gavaskar (70) added 165 runs for the opening wicket, and India finished at 324.
With a target of 143 runs to chase, Australia were the favourites to win. But a brilliant spell of 5/28 from Kapil Dev helped India bowl out Australia for only 83 runs and win the test match by 59 runs.
Adelaide, December 2003
It took over 20 years for India to win their next test match on Australian soil. This victory came under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, and India needed a superhuman effort from Rahul Dravid, who scored 233 and an unbeaten 72 in two innings, to clinch the Adelaide test in 2003.
India chased down the target of 230 runs with four wickets in hand and Dravid still at the crease. VVS Laxman (148 and 32) also batted well, and Ajit Agarkar took eight wickets in the game.
Perth, January 2008
The 2007/08 tour was an unforgettable tour for India, as they were surrounded by lot of controversies both on and off the field. That is why the Perth test match win, after the drama in Sydney, was so special for the Indian team and will remain one of the best for them in Australia.
It was a comeback game for Irfan Pathan, and he had a dream comeback. He made 28 and 46 with the bat and took 2/63 and 3/54 with the ball. Chasing a target of 413 runs, Australia were dismissed for 340, and India won the game by 72 runs.
Adelaide, December 2018
The first test series win for India on Australian soil came during the 2018/19 tour. They won 2-1, and their first win of the series came at the Adelaide Oval in the opening game of the series.
Cheteshwar Pujara was terrific with the bat, recording scores of 123 and 71. Australia had a target of 323 to chase in the fourth innings.
Despite some fight from the lower order, Australia fell 31 runs short of the target. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah took six wickets each in the game.
Melbourne, December 2018
The second win of the 2018/19 tour came at the MCG. It was the third test of the series. Cheteshwar Pujara (106) scored a century, while Virat Kohli (82), Mayank Agarwal (76) and Rohit Sharma (63) scored half-centuries in India’s first innings.
India dismissed Australia for 151 after declaring their first innings at 443/7 and had a lead by 282 runs. In the second innings, India declared at 106/8 and set a target of 399.
Australia were then bowled out for 261 and India won the match by 137 runs. Jasprit Bumrah took nine wickets to win the Player of the Match award.
Melbourne, December 2020
But the visitors made a stunning comeback, with stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane (112 and 27*) leading the way. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also chipped in with six and five wickets respectively. India had a target of only 70 to chase, and they reached it with eight wickets in hand.
Brisbane, January 2021
India’s triumph in Brisbane in 2021 is one of the most iconic test match wins by any team on Australian soil as it ended Australia’s 32-year winning streak at the Gabba. It came with a second-string Indian team as several first-choice players were injured or unavailable. That is why it was very special.
India had to chase 328 to win, and they made 329/7 to win this historic match. It is India’s third-highest successful chase in tests. Rishabh Pant played a match-winning knock of 89* off 138 to take India over the line.
Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) also played crucial roles in the chase. Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan, and others also played a big part in that win