What is the story behind the name of Border-Gavaskar Trophy? Why and how did it start?

The coveted Test series which is contested between the 2 heavyweights of the format, India and Australia is known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The currently ongoing series between the 2 sides comprises of 5 Tests. This is the first time that 5 matches are being played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The story behind the name of Border-Gavaskar Trophy is actually quite interesting. The first series between the 2 sides which was labelled as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was contested back in 1996.

India and Australia had played against each other a total of 50 times in red-ball cricket till 1996. The boards of both countries decided to make the 51st Test match between the 2 sides special. They did so by naming the one-off Test played between the 2 sides as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The series played between the 2 countries has been named in honor of legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and former Australia captain Allan Border.

The first-ever Border-Gavaskar Trophy was won by a Sachin Tendulkar-led Indian team which defeated Australia comfortably by 7 wickets. The match was played at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi.

Since 1996, a total of 16 Test series have been contested between the 2 teams with India emerging victorious in 10 while Australia coming out on top in 5. Finally, one series ended in a draw.

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