India vs Australia head-to-head in ODI cricket is one of the most competitive rivalries in international cricket. The two teams have produced many memorable matches in bilateral series and major ICC tournaments, including the Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy.
India and Australia first met in an ODI in 1980. Since then, the rivalry has developed into a major contest featuring some of the greatest players in cricket history. Australia have traditionally held the advantage in the overall ODI record, although India have enjoyed several important victories, particularly in recent years.
As of September 2026, India and Australia have played 155 ODI matches against each other. Australia have won 86, India have won 59, while 10 matches ended without a result. There have been no tied matches between the two teams.
India vs Australia ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Category | India | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Total ODIs | 155 | 155 |
| Wins | 59 | 86 |
| Losses | 86 | 59 |
| No Result | 10 | 10 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| First ODI | 1980 | 1980 |
| Latest ODI | 2025 | 2025 |
| India’s Highest Score | 399 | — |
| Australia’s Highest Score | — | 389 |
Australia currently lead the overall ODI head-to-head record by 27 victories. India’s 59 wins, however, include several significant victories in ICC tournaments and bilateral series.
First ODI Between India and Australia
India and Australia played their first ODI on 6 December 1980 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
India won that historic match by 66 runs. The result marked the beginning of what would become one of international cricket’s most important ODI rivalries.
Australia subsequently developed a strong record against India, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s. The rivalry became increasingly competitive as India developed a stronger limited-overs team.
Australia’s Dominance in the 2000s
The 2000s were an especially successful period for Australian cricket. Australia won three consecutive Cricket World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007 and regularly produced strong results against India.
According to historical head-to-head records, Australia won 29 of the 46 ODI meetings between the teams during the 2000s.
During this era, Australia featured players such as Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Watson.
India, meanwhile, had players including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and later MS Dhoni.
The contests between these two sides frequently involved high-quality batting, aggressive fast bowling and intense competition.
India’s Rise in ODI Cricket
India became increasingly successful in ODI cricket during the 2010s.
The emergence of players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Shikhar Dhawan strengthened India’s limited-overs team.
India also became increasingly competitive against Australia in Australian conditions.
One of the most memorable examples came during the 2018-19 ODI series in Australia, when India won the three-match series 2-1. It was India’s first bilateral ODI series victory in Australia.
2019 World Cup: India vs Australia
India and Australia met during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England.
India won the match by 36 runs at The Oval.
India scored 352/5 after strong contributions from Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Australia were eventually bowled out for 316.
The match demonstrated India’s ability to defeat Australia in a major ICC tournament.
2023 ODI World Cup Final
One of the most important recent meetings between India and Australia came in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
India batted first and made 240 all out. Australia then chased down the target, scoring 241/4 to win the World Cup final by six wickets.
Travis Head played a decisive role, scoring 137 from 120 deliveries. His innings became one of the most memorable performances in Cricket World Cup final history.
Australia’s victory gave them another ODI World Cup title and extended their record of success in the tournament.
2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final
India and Australia met again in an important ICC knockout match during the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The semi-final was played in Dubai on 4 March 2025. Australia scored 264 before being bowled out.
India successfully chased the target, reaching 267/6 and winning by four wickets with 11 balls remaining. Virat Kohli scored 84, while KL Rahul contributed an unbeaten 42 to complete the chase.
The victory sent India into the Champions Trophy final, where they eventually defeated New Zealand by four wickets to win the tournament.
2025 ODI Series in Australia
The most recent bilateral ODI series between India and Australia was played in Australia in October 2025.
Australia won the first two matches, while India won the third ODI in Sydney by nine wickets. The three-match series therefore finished 2-1 in Australia’s favour.
In the first ODI at Perth, Australia won by seven wickets using the DLS method.
Australia then won the second ODI in Adelaide by two wickets.
India responded in the final match at Sydney, winning by nine wickets. India’s victory prevented a 3-0 series sweep and gave them a win in the final match of the series.
India vs Australia ODI World Cup Rivalry
India and Australia have met several times in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Australia have historically had the stronger record in World Cup encounters. The two teams have met in some of the tournament’s most important matches, including:
- 2003 World Cup Final: Australia won.
- 2011 World Cup Quarter-Final: India won.
- 2015 World Cup Semi-Final: Australia won.
- 2019 World Cup: India won the group-stage match.
- 2023 World Cup Final: Australia won.
These matches have contributed significantly to the rivalry’s reputation.
India vs Australia in the Champions Trophy
The two teams have also met in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Their most recent Champions Trophy meeting came in the 2025 semi-final, when India defeated Australia by four wickets in Dubai.
Overall, the Champions Trophy has produced several important encounters between the two teams. India’s 2025 victory was particularly significant because it came in a knockout match and sent India into the final.
Highest ODI Scores in the Rivalry
India’s highest ODI team total against Australia is 399.
Australia’s highest ODI score against India is 389.
These numbers demonstrate the batting strength that has frequently characterized India-Australia ODI matches.
Both teams have traditionally possessed deep batting lineups capable of scoring heavily on good pitches.
Lowest ODI Totals
India’s lowest completed ODI total against Australia is 63, which came in Sydney in January 1981. It remains the lowest completed score by either team in this head-to-head rivalry.
Australia’s lowest completed total against India is 101.
These contrasting results illustrate how dramatically performances have varied throughout the history of the rivalry.
Key Players in India vs Australia ODI History
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar was one of India’s most important ODI batsmen during the early years of the rivalry. His battles against Australia’s leading bowlers became a defining feature of India-Australia cricket.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was a central figure in Australia’s successful ODI era. As a batsman and captain, he played an important role in several major Australia-India contests.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni led India during a significant period of the rivalry. His finishing ability and wicketkeeping made him one of India’s most influential ODI players.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has produced numerous important ODI performances against Australia. His 84 in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final helped India defeat Australia by four wickets.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma has been another major contributor in India’s ODI rivalry with Australia. His opening partnerships and ability to score large hundreds have made him an important player in major India-Australia contests.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith has been one of Australia’s leading batsmen during the modern era. He has played important innings against India in bilateral cricket and ICC tournaments.
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has frequently been one of Australia’s most dangerous ODI bowlers against India. His pace and ability to take early wickets have made him a key part of Australia’s attack.
Travis Head
Travis Head became particularly important in major matches against India. His 137 in the 2023 World Cup final was instrumental in Australia’s six-wicket victory.
Overall India vs Australia ODI Record
Through September 2026, the overall ODI record stands at:
- Matches: 155
- Australia wins: 86
- India wins: 59
- No results: 10
- Ties: 0
- Australia’s highest score: 389
- India’s highest score: 399
Australia therefore have the stronger overall head-to-head record, while India have recorded several important victories in major tournaments and bilateral series.
Conclusion
The India vs Australia head-to-head in ODI cricket represents one of the most significant rivalries in international cricket.
The teams have played 155 ODIs, with Australia winning 86 and India winning 59. Ten matches have ended without a result.
Australia’s dominance has been particularly evident across the full history of the rivalry, while India have developed an increasingly competitive record, especially in the 2010s and 2020s.
Some of the most memorable encounters include India’s 2011 World Cup quarter-final victory, Australia’s 2015 World Cup semi-final win, India’s 2019 World Cup victory, Australia’s 2023 World Cup final triumph and India’s 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final victory.
The rivalry continues to bring together some of the biggest names in world cricket and remains a major attraction whenever India and Australia meet in ODI cricket.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many ODIs have India and Australia played?
India and Australia have played 155 ODI matches against each other through September 2026.
2. Who has won more ODIs between India and Australia?
Australia have won 86 ODIs, while India have won 59. Ten matches ended without a result.
3. When did India and Australia play their first ODI?
India and Australia played their first ODI on 6 December 1980 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India won the match by 66 runs.
4. Who won the 2023 World Cup final between India and Australia?
Australia won the 2023 Cricket World Cup final by six wickets in Ahmedabad. Travis Head scored 137 and played a central role in Australia’s successful chase.
5. Who won the latest ODI series between India and Australia?
Australia won the latest three-match bilateral ODI series 2-1 in 2025. India won the third ODI in Sydney by nine wickets.