Border-Gavaskar series: A thrilling cricket rivalry worth every penny

As Team India prepare for battle on Australian soil, we take a look at the history of a colourful cricket rivalry

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

As India prepare to renew their rivalry with Australia in the challenging five-Test series, a first since 1991-92, and look to extend their dominance Down Under for a third consecutive time, a lot is at stake for both sides as the eventual outcome could potentially decide the fate of one or maybe both finalists, for next year's ICC World Test Championship final with the two teams currently occupying the top two slots in the table.

Over the past decade or so, the India-Australia rivalry in Test cricket has reached a new high, ever since India's change of guard during the 2014-15 tour Down Under when a young Virat Kohli was handed the reins of the longest format after Mahendra Singh Dhoni retired from the longest format at the end of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. While Australia won the four-Test series 2-0, the Indians showed glimpses of what's stored for their future tours with commendable performances, to draw the remaining games in Melbourne and Sydney.