On November 27, India will meet Australia for the first fixture of the 3-match ODI series against the hosts. Ahead of the gripping tour, Let’s have a look at some memorable ODI matches played between India and Australia Down Under.
A close encounter
In the 1992 World Cup, India and Australia got involved in a close encounter when Australia registered an important win by just one run. But this was not the first time as the 1987 World Cup had seen both teams producing the same result in India. The 1992 World Cup however was hosted by Australia and it was the 12th match of the tournament. Batting first, David Boon (90) and Dean Jones (90) helped Australia score 237/9. Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar took three wickets each and finished with identical bowling figures (10-2-41-3).
An Epic Thriller!#OnThisDay in 1992, Australia beat India by 1 run at Brisbane in a World Cup Game.
Put your volume 🔊 for Bill Lawry's commentary.#WorldCup #INDvAUS #Thriller pic.twitter.com/vmXzr7UkN4
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During the chase, Mohammad Azharuddin did the job for the side and added 93 off 102 balls. He kept the momentum and built valuable partnerships with Ravi Shastri (25), Sachin Tendulkar (11), Kapil Dev (21), and Sanjay Manjrekar (47). After Azhar’s dismissal, Indians had their faith bestowed in Manjrekar but his run-out changed the course of the game. India lost the last three wickets for just four runs to lose the match by just one run.
Lee hits the winning shot
In the 7th match of the VB series 2004, India and Australia had a memorable face-off at Sydney. India looked in trouble with 80/3 on board in the 16th over of the first innings when Yuvraj Singh joined VVS Laxman in the middle. Laxman scored an unbeaten 106 but his innings was overshadowed by Yuvraj Singh. Singh displayed a brilliant batting masterclass and scored 139 off 122 balls that included 16 boundaries and two maximums. They added 213 runs for the 4th wicket to take India to 296/4.
@VVSLaxman281 outstanding 106 knock against Australia
VB series 2004 #memories #throwback #moments #cricket #cricketer #cricketlove @ICC @cricbuzz @cricketworldcup #ODImatch pic.twitter.com/2EkMx3Z0oa— Crick//Spot (@Crick_Spot) August 21, 2020
In the rain-interrupted match, the Aussies finally had the task of chasing 225 runs in 34 overs. Adam Gilchrist’s 72-ball 95 and Ricky Ponting’s 42 took Australia to 150/1 in the 22nd over. There was some resistance from Irfan Pathan (3/51), Sourav Ganguly (3/41), and Murali Kartik (1/39). However, with Australia still requiring 15 runs in the last two overs with two wickets in hand, Brett Lee built a partnership with Andy Bichel and finish the match with a huge six with one ball to spare.
A historical victory
In the 2008 Commonwealth Bank series, India and Australia reached the final of the tournament that also involved Sri Lanka. The young Indian team without senior players won the first game and met the hosts at Brisbane for the second final. Sachin Tendulkar contributed with 91 out of the team total of 258/9. Yuvraj Singh (38), MS Dhoni (36), and Robin Uthappa (30) provided the necessary support. It was a must-win game for Australia to remain the chance alive.
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However, Praveen Kumar took the first three major wickets of Australia in their 1st, 3rd, and 9th over. With 32/3 on board, Australia got Mathew Hayden (55) and Andrew Symonds (42) to recover the drastic situation. They added 89 runs before getting dismissed in 26th over. Michael Hussey and James Hopes built another partnership of 76 runs but nothing worked. Kumar completed with 4/46 as S Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan took two each. India won the by match by nine runs and registered their first tri-series win Down Under.
Bumrah’s debut, Pandey’s maiden 100
During India’s tour of Australia in 2015-16, the Indian cricket team was playing the 5th match of the ODI series just for pride. They already lost the series to Australia and with nothing to lose, they thought of playing a youngster- Jasprit Bumrah. Although Australia put up a daunting 330/7, Bumrah finished with 2/40. Moreover, Bumrah was the most economical bowler on that day (10-0-40-2). The next one was Ishant Sharma who scalped two for 60 runs.
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The chase looked good with the Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma added 123 runs in 18.2 overs. Once Dhawan followed by Virat Kohli were gone in quick succession, Manish Pandey joined Sharma and the duo added 97 runs within the next 15 overs. Sharma was unlucky to be dismissed on 99 and MS Dhoni walked in. Dhoni scored 34 runs off 42 balls in the 94-run partnership with Manish Pandey who recorded his maiden ODI hundred. It was his unbeaten 114 off just 81 deliveries that won the match for India.
The Chahal-show
During India’s last tour of Australia, the teams met for the final match of the 3-match ODI series at Melbourne with the series leveled at 1-1. Bowling first, Indians delivered a disciplined performance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami took two wickets each but it was the leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who stole the show. Chahal delivered his career-best performance and finished with 6/42. For Australia, Peter Handscomb top-scored with 58.
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Chasing 230 runs, after a shaky start, the Indian cricket team had two of their most experienced batters at work. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni built a partnership of 54 runs before Kohli was gone for 46 runs in the 30th over. MS Dhoni (87*) was joined by Kedar Yadav (61*) and the duo added an unbeaten 121 runs for the 4th wicket to give a perfect finish. Chahal was undoubtedly the Man of the Match and Mahendra Singh Dhoni finished with the Man of the Series award for his contribution of 193 runs with three 50s.