Top 5: Most Runs in a Single Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series

India and Australia have traditionally produced some of the best batting superstars in cricket. These batters, both present and past, have performed exceedingly well in the international arena and lit the world of cricket.

So, it is a no-brainer that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has historically seen some of the best individual batting performances across both teams over the last 3 decades.

In the battle of two competitive teams, a strong batting performance is required from either side to go over the other. And that’s why big runs from a batter or two throughout the series are essential.

In this article, we will delve into the top 5 batters with the most runs in a single BGT series.

5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 619 runs in 2003/04

Before Virat Kohli’s show down under in 2014/15, it was Rahul Dravid’s run in 2003/04, which was the best by an Indian batter in Australia.

The former Indian skipper didn’t have the best of starts to his campaign in Brisbane but showed his true in the second Test in Adelaide, scoring a double century (233) in the first innings followed by a match-winning 72* in the second to take India 1-0 up.

Dravid continued his rich form in the subsequent Tests at MCG and SCG, scoring a couple of 90+ scores. In all, he managed to amass 619 runs at a great average of 123.80 in 8 outings.

4. Michael Clarke (Australia) – 626 runs in 2011/12

Michael Clarke was always a prolific batter against India, but this series proved to be his best not just versus the Men in Blue but in his Test career. Coming into this series without a double century in Tests, Clarke completed the series with two double centuries.

At SCG, in the second Test, he not only made his maiden double but converted that into a memorable triple century (329*). After a low score at Perth, Clarke returned to demoralise India in Adelaide, scoring the second of his double centuries (210), paving the way for another dominant Aussie win. He concluded the tour with 626 runs in 6 innings at an average of just over 125.

Also Read | Top 5: Virat Kohli’s Highest Scores in Test Cricket

3. Virat Kohli (India) – 692 runs in 2014/15

It was perhaps the best batting performance by an Indian batter in SENA conditions. Virat Kohli batted like a dream during the Indian team’s tour down under in 2014/15.

Elevated to captaincy in the series, Virat struck four centuries and, on the way, scored a whopping 692 runs in just 8 innings.

In his first Test as skipper, Virat compiled twin tons (115 & 141) in Adelaide to take his side closer to what would have been a stunning win. He didn’t score much in the second Test at Brisbane but came back strongly in the subsequent Tests, scoring a ton each at MCG and SCG, respectively.

Though India couldn’t win any of the four Tests, it did give rise to Virat Kohli, the Test batter.

2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 706 runs in 2003/04

In what was a memorable series overall, Ricky Ponting held the limelight when it came to Australia’s batting performance. Having established himself as one of the world’s leading batters at that time, Ponting showcased his true potential on that tour.

He started off the tour in Brisbane with a couple of fifty-plus scores in the Test match before producing a masterful performance at the Adelaide Oval with a score of 242. The home team lost the Test match, with Ponting’s performance getting overshadowed by India’s Rahul Dravid.

The right-hander produced yet another masterclass in the third Test at MCG, and his epic 257 resulted in a 9-wicket win for the host. Thanks to these two double tons, Ponting registered the second-best batting tally in a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

1. Steve Smith (Australia) – 769 runs in 2014/15

This was a period where Steve Smith was churning out runs for fun, and the BGT 2014 series put him among the top of his peers in Test cricket. As a newly appointed Test skipper during the series, Smith improved his numbers drastically.

Starting with a stunning 162* in Adelaide, Smith scored his first Test ton (133) as skipper at the Gabba before stroking a monumental match-winning 192 in the Boxing Day Test at MCG.

He ended an unforgettable series for him personally with yet another blistering performance at the SCG, where he made scores of 117 and 71. In all, Smith smashed a jaw-dropping 769 at a stupendous average of 128.16 in just 8 innings, including 4 hundreds.