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IND vs AUS: Top 5 Greatest Test Battles between India and Australia

Australia are in India to play one of the highly-rated contests in Test cricket called the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Over the years, this Test series has provided fans with some memorable games. From Indian point of view, there have been some outstanding wins which are difficult to erase from memory. As we await the first Test on February 9 to start in Nagpur, let's go down memory lane and revisit some thrilling, exciting and memorable matches that these two sides have played in Tests. 

IND vs AUS, Mohali Test 2010

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IND vs AUS, Mohali Test 2010

Needing 216 to win the Test match at Mohali in 2010, India were 124/8 at one stage. Then came Ishant Sharma who batted for 92 deliveries and stitched an all-important ninth wicket stand for India. Ishant scored 31 before he departed with 11 more runs to be scored. Laxman was battling an injury and Raina was running for him. The final, thrilling moments of the match saw a usually calm Laxman lose his cool and scream at his batting partner and runner for taking a risky single. In the end, Ojha the number 11, not known for his batting exploits, somehow put bat on ball and India collected the two runs in a thrilling finish to register a memorable win. Laxman knew no limit to his pain and happiness after India won. (Image source: Twitter)

IND vs AUS, Kolkata Test 2001

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IND vs AUS, Kolkata Test 2001

One of the highest points in Indian Test cricket, the Eden Gardens Test vs Australia will be remembered for ages. India were 0-1 down in this home series in 2000-01. At Eden Gardens, Australia were close to making it 2-0 after bundling India out for just 171 in the first innings, taking a massive lead. The visitors then asked the Indians to take the follow-on and what came next blew their mind. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) put on a record 376-run stand for the fifth wicket to push Aussies on back foot. Chasing 384 to win, Australians were bowled out for just 212 by the bowling attack led by Harbhajan Singh who picked up 13 wickets in the match, 7 in first innings and 6 in the second respectively. India beat Aussies at Chennai in 3rd Test and won the series. (Image source: Twitter)

IND vs AUS Perth Test 2008

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IND vs AUS Perth Test 2008

What a Test match. It lasted just four days but the game kept swinging from one team to the other, session after session. After being 0-2 down in the series, the Anil-Kumble-led side came back strongly to hurt the hosts and make it 2-1 going into the last Test. That was the first time in over ten years then that any side had beaten Aussies at WACA, Perth. That was also India's first win in Australia in over four years. The fact that the Test win at Perth came right after the SCG Test that was marred with many controversies, including the infamous Monkey Gate episode, made it even more special for Indian team and fans alike. (Image source: Twitter)

 

IND vs AUS, Adelaide Test 2021

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IND vs AUS, Adelaide Test 2021

A Test India would want to forget but cannot forget for two reasons. One, they recorded their lowest Test in history - 36 - in the second innings. Two, what happened after this Test was something not foreseen by anyone as a injury-struck Indian team beat Australia in two Tests to win the series 2-1. Adelaide has to be remembered as the starting point of a historic journey on that tour. India made 244 in the first innings before they bowled out Aussies for just 191 to take a good lead. But then the unthinkable happened as India got bowled out for just 36 in 2nd innings. Australia chased dow the small target on just the third day to win and take 1-0 lead. Head coach Ravi Shastri told the Indian team members to take 36 all-out as a badge of honour and reply strongly to the challenge. A Virat Kohli-less India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, beat Aussies at MCG, drew at SCG and then won again at Gabba to come back victorious. (Image source: Twitter)

IND vs AUS, Gabba Test 2021

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IND vs AUS, Gabba Test 2021

The Gabba Test win was special. On this tour in 2020-21, many a heated exchanges took place between India and Australian players. Ahead of the fourth and last Test at Gabba, the Ex-Australian captain Tim Paine even warned R Ashwin about short stuff being bowled at Indians at the bouncy Gabba pitch. Australia had not lost at Gabba for 32 years in a Test and Aussies used to call it their 'Fortress' very proudly. India made history, when Rishabh Pant-led batting unit, chased down 328 right before the stumps on Day 5 to win the match as well as the series. The Gabba Fortress was breached with Pant finishing with unbeaten 89. India returned home again with a series win. (Image source: Twitter)