Five memorable India-Oz clashes
Australia and India have been playing Test cricket against each other since 1947 and they renew their rivalry in Adelaide on Thursday. Some of the most competitive clashes have come since they began contesting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — named after the
SACHIN CONQUERS WARNE IN CHENNAI
Sachin Tendulkar and spin king Shane Warne had many epic battles. But in 1998 at the Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Warne drew first blood by having the batting master caught for four in the slips, then he ran through the middle order to restrict India to 257 in their first innings. In reply, Australia made
328, helped by Ian Healy’s 90.
This set the stage for Warne v Tendulkar round two, and it was the batsman who came out on top on a dusty, spin-friendly wicket. He produced one of his most dazzling innings, taking apart Warne and fellow spinner Gavin Robertson in a magnificent unbeaten 155 from 191 balls that changed the course of the match. India declared and set Australia 348 to win, and they were bundled out for just
168 on the final day with Tendulkar named man-of-the-match.
PONTING’S EPIC IN VAIN
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was at his untouchable best in the second Test in 2003, stroking a majestic 242. The home team reached a huge 556, but a stubborn Rahul Dravid and then Ajit Agarkar guided India to a battling fourwicket win.
SPINNERS RULE ROOST
Australia took a 1-0 lead into this fiery Bangalore Test last year and when Nathan Lyon took 8-50 to bamboozle the Indian batsmen for
189, it looked like the tourists would go
2-0 up. But in a bad-tempered few days, R. Jadeja picked up 6-63 to ensure the tourists led by just 87.
A stylish 92 from Pujara coupled with six wickets for Josh Hazlewood then saw India all out for 274 to set Australia
188 to win. But they crumbled for 112 with Ashwin claimining six wickets.
KOLKATA CLASSIC
The second Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in 2001 was all about one of India’s greatest comebacks, and is regarded among the most exciting matches of all time. After Australia posted a big total of 445, India were bowled out for
171.The follow-on was enforced before VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid
(180) knuckled down in a memorable and gritty 376-run stand.
MONKEYGATE SCANDAL
Perhaps the most controversial, and spiteful Test played between the two nations, the 2008 Sydney encounter was dubbed the “Monkeygate” affair, marred by wrong umpiring decisions and accusations of poor sportsmanship. Ricky Ponting’s men won by 122 runs for a record-breaking 16th consecutive Test victory with just seven balls remaining in a breathless finish after part-time spinner Michael Clarke took three wickets in five deliveries. But it is infamously remembered for Harbhajan Singh being charged with racial abuse and banned for three Tests for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a “monkey” during the third day’s play.