Indians are all set to take on Australia for the 4-match Test series starting on December 17. The Border Gavaskar Trophy has been a witness to some memorable matches over these years. Down Under, both sides have given some moments to cherish forever. Here we are recalling such four matches that are still not forgotten.
Melbourne 1981
During the 1981 Melbourne Test match, Australia had a young team captained by Greg Chappell. On the other hand, Indians were a more settled side captained by Sunil Gavaskar. The hosts despite having a young side won the first Test in Sydney by an innings. After the second Test in Adelaide was drawn, the final one in Melbourne was the last chance for Indians to level the series. Batting first India were all out for 237 on the first day with Gundappa Viswanath scoring a fighting 114. Australia, in reply, scored 400 plus thanks to a century from Allan Border. The Indians had a great start in the second innings and Gavaskar added 165 runs with his opening partner Chetan Chauhan.
In a rare controversial situation involving Gavaskar’s dismissal, India failed to capitalize on the good start and were all out for 324. Australia had to chase down 143 runs to win the series 2-0. In absence of injured Kapil Dev, Dilip Doshi and Karsan Ghavri restricted Australia for 24/3 on that day. The final day of the match saw a deadly spell from injured Kapil Dev who took five wickets for 28 runs and won the match for India.
Adelaide 2003
Adelaide Test in 2003 was almost a repeat telecast of the 2001 Eden Test match between India and Australia. Australia scored 556 runs in the first innings- a brilliant 242 from Ricky Ponting that almost sealed the match for the home side. In reply, India were in a tricky situation with 85 for the loss of four wickets on board. There was a mini-collapse when India lost Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly in quick successions. Then VVS Laxman walked in to join Rahul Dravid and world cricket witnessed some legendary batting as the duo added 303 runs and ensured that India saved the follow-on.
It was a reverse role this time. At Eden, Laxman took the charge with Dravid supporting him. This time it was Dravid who played the key role and added 233 runs while Laxman went for 148. In the second innings, Indian bowling attack made the most of the opportunity with Ajit Agarkar recording his career-best bowling figure in the longest format 6-41. Australia set the target of 233 for India in the fourth innings. Dravid once again came to the rescue and scored an unbeaten 72 to win the match.
Sydney 2008
The New Year Test at Sydney during India’s tour of 2007-08 was a bitter-sweet moment. During the first innings of India, Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds got involved in the ‘Monkeygate’ saga. However, that was just the beginning. On the 5th day of the match, Australia declared just before lunch and India had to chase 333 runs in just two sessions. Within 54 runs, Indians lost three quick wickets. Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar were dismissed by then with one of them was given out on a No-ball. Dravid and Ganguly batted together for more than 15 overs to add 61 runs to the total.
Then Dravid was given out caught behind off Symonds when his bat was nowhere close to the ball. A few overs later Ganguly was given out when Michael Clarke took a catch-on slip which was not conclusive. Instead of checking with the third umpire, umpire Mark Benson checked with Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain. India collapsed dramatically to give Australia a last gasp win. A composed Anil Kumble, India’s captain could not keep him calm and said in the post-match press conference, “Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game.”
Melbourne 2018
India came to play the Melbourne Test in 2018 after winning the first match in Adelaide followed by a loss in Perth. The Boxing Day was important for the visitors to win the first Test series on Australian soil. It was pending since 1948, India’s first tour to Down Under. Cheteshwar Pujara gave stability to the Indian innings after the early dismissal of Hanuma Vihari. Pujara (106) and Mayank Agarwal (76) gave the start Virat Kohli’s team required. Virat Kohli (82) finally declared the innings on 443/7.
The match then saw the devastation of the Indian fast bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami. They troubled Aussie batsmen in both of their innings led by the young Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah ran through the Australian batting order and took six wickets for just 33 runs in the first innings. Indians scored another 106 runs in the second innings to set a final target of 399 runs for the hosts. Bumrah picked up another three wickets as Sharma and Shami finished the innings with two each. Ravindra Jadeja had a 5-wicket haul in the match as well, three of those scalps came in the second innings.