All-Time Highest Partnerships in India vs Australia Matches

It was the 4th and final test of the legendary Border–Gavaskar Trophy 2011/12, played in Australia. India was already trailing 3–0, and Australia had a golden chance to complete a clean sweep against the reigning World Champions, who had recently lifted the ICC Cricket World Cup after 28 years. However, things didn’t start smoothly for the hosts. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Australia lost three wickets for just 84 runs, giving India early control.

Then came former captain Ricky Ponting and skipper Michael Clarke, and from that moment, the match completely turned around. The experienced pair steadied the innings and went on to build one of the most iconic partnerships in Test cricket history. Together, they added a historic 386 runs, batting for nearly 95 overs and occupying the crease for almost five sessions spread over one and a half days. This partnership not only laid the foundation for another Australian victory but also became the highest ever partnership in India versus Australia cricket.

Their partnership flourished as they batted deep into the second day, completely exhausting the Indian bowlers. The pair added 386 runs for the fourth wicket, with Michael Clarke scoring a majestic 210 and Ricky Ponting compiling a classic 221, his first double century in over four years. Their stand became the backbone of Australia’s massive total of 604/7 declared, effectively batting India out of the contest. Australia, determined not to give India any opportunity for a comeback, won the match by 298 runs and the series by 4-0.

Why This Partnership Reflects Greatness

This historic partnership is regarded as one of the best batting performances in modern Test cricket, displaying class, patience, and authority from two of Australia’s best. Both maintained their cool early on, cautiously managing India’s seamers before finally gaining complete control. Once comfortable, they unleashed a variety of delicate strokes, with Ponting’s signature pull shots and drives through cover combining seamlessly with Clarke’s graceful timing and footwork against both pace and spin.

This stand represented the turning point in Australian cricket’s transitional phase. Clarke had recently taken over as captain, and Ponting, nearing the conclusion of his illustrious career, found redemption with this vintage effort. On the other hand, India, which was on a dream run under MS Dhoni’s leadership, suffered the series setback of the decade. Dhoni, who had defeated Australia three times in the previous four years, now faced a clean sweep for the first time in his career.

This clean sweep was very important for Australia then. The Australian cricket team had been regarded as a mighty force during the 1990s and 2000s, dominating world cricket and winning five ICC trophies, including three Cricket World Cups and two Champions Trophies, four of which came under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting. However, their dominance had started to fade, and India under MS Dhoni had emerged as the new powerhouse.

Dhoni was the captain who had ended Australia’s reign, first by defeating them in the semi-final of the 2007 T20 World Cup and then again in the quarter-final of the 2011 ODI World Cup. This series was seen as the last chance for Ricky Ponting to find redemption, and he played exactly like a man determined to reclaim his pride. The Ponting–Clarke partnership from that series remains one of the highest in Test history and a golden memory for Australian cricket fans.

Top 5 Best Partnerships in IND vs AUS Matches

1. Ricky Pointing & Michael Clark – 386 runs

Michael Clarke represented Australia from 2004 to 2015, while Ricky Ponting represented the country from 1995 to 2012.