India vs Australia: ‘Beating India in 2004 was the Mt Everest of my career’, says Justin Langer

Former Australian opening batsman and current coach Justin Langer stated that registering a victory against India in their backyard was the ‘Mt Everest’ of his career. The kangaroos gained an unassailable lead of 2-0 after the first three matches during 2003 series. However, Rahul Dravid’s men came back strong in the Mumbai Test to register a consolation victory in the dead rubber.

Justin Langer played decent cricket during that series as he emerged as the fifth-highest run-getter for his side. The southpaw amassed 228 runs at an average of 28.5 with two half-centuries. Ahead of the much-anticipated India-Australia Test series from December 17, Langer talked about the rivalry between these two nations. He said that it has grown over the years in world cricket. 

“This is a great series, a great rivalry that has been built up for a long time between Australia and India… A great rivalry for world cricket, I think,” Langer was quoted as saying in a virtual media interaction.

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“I’ve said many times, beating India in India in 2004 was the Mt Everest of my career because we knew how hard it was!” he stated.

The series win in 2018 was crucial for India’s cricket: Langer

Justin Langer also talked about the 2018-19 home series when India registered an unprecedented 2-1 victory under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. 

“In the past, India has found it hard to win over here (in Australia). I guess I’ve never heard Virat (Kohli) say it but beating us over here last time (2018-19). These moments are very important in each of our cricket, whether as individuals or as a collective experience,” he added.

The two sides will now lock horns on December 17 (Thursday) with the Day/Night Test at the Adelaide Oval. The stadiums in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are the hosts for the remaining three matches.

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