Top 5 iconic Test matches between India and Australia

The intensity is always at its peak when it comes to the India-Australia rivalry, especially in the Test matches. The two sides have competed in some of the best Tests in the history of the game. Every cricket fan remembers the 2008 infamous Sydney Test game that involved several controversies. But there are even more five-day games between these two sides that stayed in the hearts of all cricket lovers.

Let’s look at five such iconic Test matches between India and Australia before the two sides lock horns in the upcoming series from December 17.

1986 Chennai Test | Match Tied

India and Australia played a tied match in 1986 at Chennai (then Madras) during the first game of the series. The Aussies posted a mammoth total of 574/7 after batting first. Dean Jones slammed a memorable 210 while Allan Border and David Boon scored respective hundreds. In reply, India could only post 397 with the help of a century from skipper Kapil Dev.

The Australian team declared the third innings at 170/5, setting a massive target of 348 in front of the home team. India batted well in a nail-biting encounter but could not edge past the finishing line after losing all their wickets for 347. The match ended in a dramatic tie after Maninder Singh was caught leg before wicket (lbw) by Matthews.

Also Read | India tour of Australia: Wasim Jaffer hilariously trolls Brad Hogg’s comments on Rohit Sharma’s place in Indian Test team

2001 Kolkata Test | India won by 171 runs

The Kolkata Test between India and Australia is not just one of the best between these two sides but also one of the greatest of all-time. The Aussies posted a huge total of 445 with the help of a century from captain Steve Waugh. Sourav Ganguly and co bundled out for 171 after a tremendous bowling effort from the visitors.

Australia enforced a follow-on to India from where they made a historic comeback. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) led the Indian batting to help them post 657/7 (declared). Chasing 384, Australia got out for 212 after a 6-for from Harbhajan Singh.

2004 Mumbai Test | India won by 13 runs

India and Australia played a thrilling fourth Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in a low-scoring clash. The Indian team got all-out at 104 inside 42 overs against a bowling line-up led by Jason Gillespie. Indian spinner Anil Kumble and Murali Karthik spun a web around the batsmen, restricting them at 203 in the second innings.

Also Read | India Tour of Australia: Top 5 Indian players to watch out in Test series

Indian batsmen improved their performance from the first inning to post 205 on the board with the help of fifties from VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. Chasing an easy target of 107, the visitors surrendered at 93 to enable a 13 run victory for the home side. The spin trio of Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Murali Karthik claimed nine out of ten wickets for team India.

2008 Perth Test | India won by 72 runs

Australian team took a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series while coming to this game after a bitter Sydney Test. Batting first, the Indian side posted a respectable total of 330 on the board. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the top-scorers with their respective knocks of 93 and 71. In reply, the Aussies got all out for just 212 against their name.

The visitors added another 294 runs to their lead of 118, giving a tough target of 413 to Australia. The Ricky Ponting-led side scored a fighting total of 340 but fell 72 runs short of the target. This win also marked the first victory for an Asian side at the Western Australian Cricket Association, Perth.

2010 Mohali Test | India won by one wicket

The Australian team posted a mammoth total of 428 while batting first in Mohali. Australian opener Shane Watson slammed a brilliant century while wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine scored 92. The Indian gave a gritty fight to post 405 on the board. Their innings included half-centuries from Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Suresh Raina.

The Aussies gave a target of 216 to team India after scoring 192 in their second inning. In reply, Laxman played yet another ‘Very Very Special’ knock against his favourite opponents to stay at the crease till the end of the game. Batting at number seven, he partnered with the lower batsmen to clinch a one-wicket team for his nation.

Also Read | Top 5 ODI matches between India vs Australia