Top five run scorers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy history

India and Australia share a rich history when it comes to Test cricket. Some of the best players ever have graced the sport from both countries. The Test series between the two teams is termed as the 'Border-Gavaskar Trophy' to honour the contribution of the legendary players, namely Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar. India have won the trophy on the last four occasions with Australia last winning it back in 2014 which was MS Dhoni’s last series in Test cricket as well. 

The two teams have been contesting for the trophy since 1996 and star players have scored a lot of runs from both teams. Among the top five run-scorers, India have dominated with three batters in the list while two are from Australia.

With the latest edition of BGT gets underway on Friday, here's a look at the top five run-scorers in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Unarguably the best batsman ever to play the sport, Sachin Tendulkar is on top of this list. He loved playing against Australia, especially in the longest format of the game and amassed 3262 runs in 65 innings played against them. He scored these runs at an impeccable average of 56.24 with a staggering nine centuries and 16 fifties.

Sachin’s famous knock of unbeaten 241 runs also came against Australia and is also the second-highest Test score in his career. Batting at number four, Tendulkar enjoyed smashing the Aussie bowlers who were at their peak during their era.

2. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, former Australia skipper, featured in the Border-Gavaskar trophy from 1996 to 2012 and played a total of 29 Tests. Under his captaincy, Australia not only dominated India at home and away but also other cricket-playing nations across the world. Ponting is the second-highest run-scorer in the history of BGT, smashing 2555 runs in 51 innings at a brilliant average of 54.36. Batting at number three for most of his illustrious career, Ponting smashed eight centuries and 12 half-centuries against India.

His highest score of 257 runs against India in BGT also turned out to be his career best in Test cricket. 

3. VVS Laxman

One of the most special batsmen the world has ever seen, Laxman always enjoyed special liberty playing against Australia. He always saved his best against them and featured in the BGT from 1998 to 2012 during the course of his celebrated career. He batted at number six in the golden era of Indian batting and is one of the only four Indian players to score in excess of 2000 runs against the Aussies in the format.

Laxman scored 2434 runs in 29 Tests (54 innings) against the team from down under at an average of 49.67 with six centuries and 12 fifties to his name. His career-best knock of 281 runs also came against Australia during the epic comeback at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

4. Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid has done a lot for Indian cricket as a player and as a coach too. He was the go-to player for his captain and performed multiple roles throughout his illustrious career. As a coach, he won the T20 World Cup for India earlier this year in the West Indies with Rohit Sharma as captain. When it comes to Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Dravid features at the fourth position in this list.

Proudly called ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket, Dravid, played 32 Test matches against the Aussies amassing 2143 runs in 60 innings at an average of 39.68. Again, his career-best knock of 233 runs came in Adelaide against the hosts during a memorable win in the 2003-04 season. Dravid smashed two centuries and 13 fifties facing some of the best Australian bowling in his career.

5. Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke has also enjoyed his share of success against India in his career. He played the Border Gavaskar Trophy for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 featuring 22 in Tests against India. Clarke amassed a staggering 2049 runs in just 40 innings at an astounding average of 53.92 with seven centuries and six scores between 50 and 99.

His career-best score of unbeaten 329 came against India in Sydney in 2012 when the visitors were whitewashed 4-0 in the four-match series. He last featured in the most famous series in Test cricket history in 2012 before calling it quits at the international level in 2015.