IND vs AUS: 5 most memorable ODIs
One of the oldest rivals in cricket, Australia and India are set to lock horns in a three-match ODI series from March 17. The Australians are ahead in the head-to-head matchup, primarily because of their supremacy in the 1990s and early 2000s. And for Indian supporters, the ongoing Australia tour of India has been full of surprises.
India’s dominance in the Test series saw the Rohit Sharma-led side clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy yet again and retain it. The four-match series also witnessed Rohit, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli notching up centuries and spin-bowling all-rounders Ravi Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja showcasing their class in both departments.
As the sides gear up to put up impressive performances, let us travel down memory lane and look at the five most memorable ODI encounters between the two sides.
5. CB Series 2nd Final | 2008
India had won the first final and a victory in this game led to the Men in Blue lifting the trophy. Sachin Tendulkar’s 91(121) helped India post a 259-run target. In reply, Praveen Kumar picked up four crucial wickets by dismissing Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, and Brett Lee as India grabbed a nine-run victory.
4. World Cup Final | 2003
The World Cup final of 2003 remains to be one of the most memorable games for Australia as the Ricky Ponting-led side continued their dominance in international cricket and clinched the championship title. Thanks to skipper Ponting’s unbeaten century (140* off 121), Australia posted 359/2 on board and restricted India to 234 runs in 39.2 overs to win the summit clash by 125 runs.
3. World Cup Quarter-Final | 2011
The two sides locked horns in the second quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup in Ahmedabad. The Indian bowlers put on a show to restrict Australia to 260/6 in their 50 overs quota, and batting brilliance from Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir followed by Yuvraj Singh’s unbeaten 57 helped India make way into the semi-final. That tournament was special for the Men in Blue as they lifted the trophy for the second time in the tournament’s history.
2. 5th ODI, Australia tour of India | 2009
This game went down as one of the most thrilling encounters between India and Australia. Playing in Hyderabad, Australia’s top and middle-order batters helped their side post a massive total of 350/4. In reply, Sachin Tendulkar notched up a whopping 175 off 141 deliveries. India needed eight to win off the final over with one wicket in hand. Shane Watson bowled brilliantly under pressure, and a goof-up led to Praveen Kumar being run out, which led to Australia winning the game by three runs.
1. 2nd ODI, Australia tour of India | 2013
One of the most memorable games between Australia and India came in 2013 when Australia toured India for seven ODIs. In the second game of the series in Jaipur, Australia posted a massive target of 360 runs for India to chase. Opener Rohit Sharma and top-order batter Virat Kohli notched up centuries and remained unbeaten on 141*(123) and 108 (52), respectively, to take India home. Interestingly, Kohli’s century remains to be the fastest ODI century by an Indian cricketer.
