Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020–21: India Won 2–1 — Pant 89* at The Gabba, Siraj's 5 Wickets, India's First Win at Gabba in 33 Years
India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 against Australia 2-1 (1 draw) across four Tests in December 2020-January 2021. It is regarded as one of the greatest touring Test series wins in cricket history, with India overcoming multiple injury crises to win the final Test at The Gabba in Brisbane — Australia's most fortress ground, unbeaten at home for 33 years. 1st Test Adelaide (Dec 17-19 2020): Australia won by 8 wickets — India bowled out for 36 in 2nd innings (lowest in India's Test history). 2nd Test Melbourne (Dec 26-30 2020): India won by 8 wickets — Ajinkya Rahane 112. 3rd Test Sydney (Jan 7-11 2021): Drawn — Pant 97, Ashwin 39* (India survived last 4 overs with last pair). 4th Test Brisbane (Jan 15-19 2021): India won by 3 wickets — Rishabh Pant 89* in one of the great Test match-winning innings. India captain: Ajinkya Rahane (Virat Kohli left after 1st Test for birth of daughter). Australia captain: Tim Paine.
The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is considered one of the greatest Test series wins in cricket history — a four-Test series in which India, ravaged by injuries and a decimated first-choice squad, overcame Australia 2-1 to retain the BGT. India went into the final Test at The Gabba without Virat Kohli (who returned to India after the first Test for the birth of his daughter), Mohammed Shami (broken arm), Jasprit Bumrah (injured, missed last two Tests), R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (both injured). Australia had not lost at The Gabba since 1988 — a 33-year home fortress. India won by 3 wickets.
Adelaide Disaster and Melbourne Recovery
The series began disastrously for India. In the 1st Test at Adelaide (Day-Night Test, Dec 17-19 2020), India were bowled out for 36 in their second innings — the lowest total in India's Test history. Australia won by 8 wickets. India lost Virat Kohli to paternity leave and the injury list began growing. However, the 2nd Test at Melbourne (Dec 26-30 2020) produced a remarkable reversal. Ajinkya Rahane, captaining India in Kohli's absence, scored 112 to anchor India's first-innings 326. India bowled Australia out for 195 and 200, winning by 8 wickets. Rahane's century stabilised the team and renewed India's belief.
Sydney Survival and Gabba Triumph
The 3rd Test at Sydney (Jan 7-11 2021) was one of the most famous draws in cricket. India — with more key players added to the injury list — needed to survive the final session with their last wicket pair: R. Ashwin (39*) and Hanuma Vihari (23*, hamstring injury). Rishabh Pant scored 97 earlier in the innings, threatening a stunning chase. The draw kept India alive. Then at The Gabba (Jan 15-19 2021), India — playing with debutants and inexperienced players — chased 328 to win. Rishabh Pant scored 89 not out off 138 balls in a match-winning innings of controlled aggression and improvisation. Mohammed Siraj took 5/73 in Australia's second innings. India won by 3 wickets, ending Australia's 33-year unbeaten run at The Gabba and retaining the BGT 2-1.
Frequently asked questions
How did India win the BGT 2020-21 at The Gabba?
India won the 4th Test of the BGT 2020-21 at The Gabba, Brisbane on 19 January 2021 by 3 wickets, chasing 328. Rishabh Pant scored 89 not out off 138 balls to guide India to victory. Mohammed Siraj took 5/73 in Australia's second innings. It was India's first Test win at The Gabba since 1988 — ending Australia's 33-year unbeaten home record there. India won the series 2-1, retaining the BGT. India's squad was severely depleted by injuries: Kohli, Shami, Bumrah, Ashwin and Jadeja all missed parts of the series.
What happened in India's first Test at Adelaide in the BGT 2020-21?
In the 1st Test of the BGT 2020-21 at Adelaide (Day-Night Test, December 2020), India were bowled out for 36 in their second innings — the lowest total in India's 90-year Test history at that time. Australia won by 8 wickets. The collapse came after India had scored 244 in the first innings (Kohli 74*). The 36 all out was triggered by Australia's pace attack in the pink-ball conditions. Despite this catastrophic start, India recovered to win the series 2-1 across the remaining three Tests.