Top three biggest partnerships in BGT history
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is a Test series played between the fiercest rivals India and Australia. The trophy is named after two of the former legendary players, Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. Building partnerships is the most important and crucial factor for a team playing any format and tournament. Over the years, there have been some epic and memorable partnerships in the BGT and they appear in this article.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay (370)
India’s pair of Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay registered the third-highest partnership of 370 for any wicket in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Hyderabad in 2013. During the second Test, Australia batted first and declared their innings for 237/9. In reply, India lost Virender Sehwag with just 17 runs on the board and that’s when Pujara and Vijay joined hands. Both stitched 370 runs for the second wicket as the hosts reached 503 in their first innings. Vijay smashed 167 while Pujara scored a double hundred (204) as India won the game by innings and 135 runs with the latter grabbing the Player of the Match award.
2. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid (376)
One of the most spectacular and historic Test matches in Kolkata in 2003 witnessed VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid pulling off a stunning victory for India. During the second game of the series, the Aussies batted first and posted 445 on the board. With the ball, they bowled India out cheaply for just 171. Following on, the Kangaroos were treated with absolute masterclass knocks from the Indian duo. The home side lost their captain Sourav Ganguly with their score at 232/4. Dravid then joined Laxman and scripted a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket with the former slamming 180 and Laxman 281. India declared at 657/7 and won the contest by a 171-run margin as Laxman won the Player of the Match award.
1. Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting (386)
The Aussie pair of Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting hold the record for the highest partnership for any wicket in the BGT. In the fourth Test of the series in Adelaide in 2012, the hosts batted first. They posted a mammoth 604/7 on the board courtesy of the duo. The Australians lost Ed Cowan with their score reading as 84/3 and that’s when skipper Clarke joined forces with Ponting. They added a massive 386 runs for the fourth wicket as both smashed their respective double centuries. Clarke struck 210 while Ponting hit 221 as the team won the encounter by a huge margin of 298 runs. With that, Australia whitewashed the Asian Giants 4-0 (4)
