Top 5 Indian run-getters against Australia in Tests

India and Australia have had a riveting rivalry in the longest format of the game. Test matches between the two countries bring out the best in the players of both the teams, and the cricket played is extremely competitive.

The two sides have produced some champion cricketers over the years, who have given cricket fans memories that will last a lifetime.

As the Indian team gears up for another challenging tour Down Under, let us take a look at the top five run-getters for India against Australia in Test cricket.

5. Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar

The ‘Little Master’ had a very good record against Australia in Tests. In the 31 innings that he played, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar conjured up 1550 runs at an average of 51.66, including 4 fifties and a staggering 8 hundreds.

He will be best remembered for the magnificent 172 off 400 balls that he compiled at the SCG in 1986 against an attack that boasted of Bruce Reid, Bob Holland and David Gilbert.

Gavaskar's record against Australia:

Matches: 20; Innings: 31; Runs: 1550; HS: 172; Avg: 51.66; 100s: 8; 50s: 4; 0s: 2

4. Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag

Easily the most devastating opener India has ever produced, Virender Sehwag played some scintillating knocks against the best bowling attack of his time. In the 22 matches that Sehwag played against the Australians, Sehwag scored 1821 runs at an average of 41.39 including 3 hundreds and 10 fifties.

The Nawab Of Najafgarh will be best remembered for the whirlwind 195 that he scored against the Australians at the MCG, where he plundered the bowlers to all parts of the ground at an astounding strike rate of 83.69.

Sehwag's record against Australia:

Matches: 23; Innings: 45; Runs: 1821; HS: 195; Avg: 41.39; 100s: 3; 50s: 10; 0s: 3

3. Rahul Dravid

India’s greatest No. 3 in Test match cricket played some magnificent innings against the Australians. In the 32 matches that he played against Australia, Dravid scored 2143 runs at an average of 38.68 including 2 hundreds and 13 fifties.

He will be best remembered for his 233 that he scored at Adelaide in 2003 off 446 balls, which enabled India to register a famous victory away from home.

Dravid's record against Australia:

Matches: 33; Innings: 62; Runs: 2166; HS: 233; Avg: 38.68; 100s: 2; 50s: 13 0s: 4

2. VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman

Laxman was indeed ‘Very Very Special’ against the Australians. Against the best bowling attack of his generation, Laxman scored an incredible 2434 runs from 54 innings at an average of 49.67, including 6 hundreds and 12 fifties.

His 281 against the Australians at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in the year 2001 will probably go down as the greatest innings ever played by an Indian batsman in Test cricket. It was a knock that catapulted him to international fame, and turned out to be a watershed moment in Indian Test Cricket.

Laxman's record against Australia:

Matches: 29; Innings: 54; Runs: 2434; HS: 281; Avg: 49.67; 100s: 6; 50s: 12; 0s: 3

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

Widely considered to be one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game, Sachin Tendulkar reserved his sublime best for the Australians. In the 39 matches that he played against the Aussies, he scored a staggering 3630 runs at an outstanding average of 55.00 including 11 hundreds and 16 fifties.

Tendulkar will be best remembered for the 241* he conjured at the SCG - an innings of immense discipline where he refused to play even a single cover drive through the off side. The dazzling 114 that he scored in Perth in 1992 is still rated as one of the greatest knocks played by an overseas batsman on Australian soil.

Tendulkar's record against Australia:

Matches: 39; Innings: 74; Runs: 3630; HS: 241*; Avg: 55.00; 100s: 11; 50s: 16; 0s: 4