Top 5 India-Australia Tests at SCG ahead of BGT 2024-25 5th Test

India gear up to take on hosts Australia in the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at the hallowed and historic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday, January 3. The traditional New Year's Test, which is played at this venue, takes on special significance when India are inside the visitors' dressing room. Australia currently lead the series 2-1.

Many Tests have been played between these teams at this venue, the most special of which must have been the one in the 1977-78 series, which India won by an innings and two runs. That has also been the only time India defeated the Kangaroos at this venue. Given how volatile the team's atmosphere seems to be, coach Gautam Gambhir would like nothing better than to repeat that feat now.

In this listicle, we take a look at the top five Tests played between these two nations at the SCG in the past:

#5 1985-86

The third Test of the 1985-86 series between these two teams features fifth on this list. Winning the toss and batting first, India were able to amass a gigantic 600-4 declared in 169 overs. The iconic Sunil Gavaskar top-scored for the visitors with 172 in this innings, with K Srikkanth (116) and Mohinder Amarnath (138) also scoring tons.

Australia were then bowled out for 396 in their first innings owing to former Hyderabad captain Shivlal Yadav's 5-99, even though David Boon led the charts with 131. India then made Australia follow on, which was a rarity in those days, and the hosts were struggling at 119-6 before both the captains shook hands and called the match a draw. Yadav picked up 3-19 in the second innings.

#4 1991-92

The third Test of the 1991-92 series was one of the best ever played between these two teams in the past. Having won the toss and put the Aussies into bat, India were to repent as their hosts piled up 313 runs in 124 overs, helped by now-match referee David Boon's unbeaten 129.

India, in reply, scored 483 in 168.4 overs, in which opener (and former coach) Ravi Shastri ended up making a swashbuckling 206. Shastri took particular exception to a young leg-spinner making his debut in this game, who went by the name of Shane Warne. The latter ended with figures of 150-1 in his maiden Test innings. Australia played out their second innings at 173-8 before it was called a draw.

#3 2003-04

The final Test of the 2003-04 series, which was also the legendary Steve Waugh's farewell match, was a closely contested encounter between the two teams that ended in a draw. India won the toss and batted first to put up a mammoth 705-7 declared on the board. Sachin Tendulkar (241) and VVS Laxman (178) were the heroes for India. Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel too chipped in with 62.

Australia, helped by tons from Justin Langer (117) and Simon Katich (125), put up 474 on the board before India returned to score 211-2 declared on a placid surface, with Rahul Dravid (91 not out) and Tendulkar (60 not out) leading the charts. Set 443 to win in the fourth innings, Australia ended Day 5 at 357-6. Waugh sailed off into the sunset with a gritty 80 off 159 balls.

#2 2020-21

The third Test of the 2020-21 series between these two teams is another match that will go down in history as being one of the best ever played. Australia batted first this time and put up 338 on the board helped by Steve Smith's 131. India, in turn, were bowled out for 244 in 100.2 overs, with Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara scoring even 50s.

Australia scored 312-6 declared in their second innings thanks largely to Smith's 81 and Marnus Labuschagne's 73. Set a target of 407 to win in the fourth innings, India seemed all at sea when they were reduced to 250-4 and then 272-5. Rishabh Pant (97) and Pujara (77) lost their wickets in quick succession to hand the advantage back to the Australian bowlers.

Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin then built one of the greatest partnerships of all time, scoring just 62 runs but facing 161 and 128 deliveries, respectively, to safely guide India to a draw. The duo were battling respective injuries but displayed immense determination, resilience and grit to save the day for their nation. This partnership will be talked about for a long time to come.

#1 1977-78

One of the finest Tests played between these two teams in Sydney was the fifth match of the 1977-78 series. India beat the Aussies by an innings and two runs in this Test under the leadership of the late Bishan Singh Bedi. Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 131 inside 50 overs. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar picked up four wickets and India responded with 396-8 declared.

The stylish GR Vishwanath was the top-scorer for India with 79, and was assisted by all-rounder Karsan Ghavri's 64 lower down the order. Australia fared just a tad better in their second innings and were bowled out for 263, still two runs short of wiping out the lead India had over them. This is also the only Test India have won so far at the SCG.