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India suffered humiliating loss in the first match but bounced back brilliantly in the following Tests to notch a 2-1 victory.
Border Gavaskar Trophy (AFP)
Team India is touring Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy after three years. The two heavyweights are set to face in a five-match Test series, starting on November 22. India last played a four-match Test series on Australian soil in 2020-21. India suffered much humiliation in the opening game but bounced back brilliantly in the following Tests to notch a 2-1 victory. It, however, was not an easy task for the visitors, who had suffered several injury blows midway through the tour.
India somewhat benefitted from the COVID-19 regulations which allowed them to send a larger contingent to avoid the issues related to mandatory quarantine. T Natarajan and Washington Sundar who had travelled as the reserve players got the opportunity to make their Test debut in the iconic BGT. Both had a great contribution in the last Gabba Test which ultimately decided the fate of the series.
India even missed the service of their regular captain and star batter Virat Kohli in the last three Tests. Ajinkya Rahane took over the charge as an interim skipper after Kohli returned to India following the first game, citing personal reasons.
Border Gavaskar Trophy | India vs Australia 2024-25: Everything You Need To Know
With the 2024-25 BGT a few days away, let’s look back at what happened when India last toured Australia for a Test series –
First Test, Adelaide:
India put up an underwhelming batting show in the series opener despite having some experienced batters like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the team. They batted first in Adelaide and posted 244 in the first innings. Australia also failed to survive long and were bundled out at 191.
No Indian batter was able to register a double-digit score in the second innings which was wrapped up at 36. Australia had no trouble in chasing down a 90-run target and secured an early lead in the four-match assignment.
Second Test, Melbourne:
Australian captain Tim Paine decided to bat first at the MCG and his team managed only 195 runs. Ajinkya Rahane who was leading India in Kohli’s absence put up a commendable performance. The top-order batter scored a gritty 112, helping his team reach 326 in the first innings. Australia once again faced a batting collapse and lost all wickets at 200. India sealed the deal on Day 4 to level the series.
Third Test, Sydney:
With the pitch at the SCG favouring the batters, Australia produced 338, powered by Steve Smith’s 131-run knock. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara struck half-centuries for India who folded their innings with 244 runs. The hosts declared their second innings after setting a target of 407. India were at 334/5 at the end of Day 5, leading to the match ending in a draw.
Fourth Test, Brisbane:
Australia went into the decisive Test high on confidence, considering their Test records in Brisbane. They had not lost any red-ball game at The Gabba since 1988. Marnus Labuschagne contributed with a century as Australia scored 369. India had lost a few early wickets before Sardul Thakur and Washington Sundar revived the innings with a 123-run partnership.
Mohammed Siraj who was spearheading India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah stepped up with a match-defining five-wicket haul. Courtesy of his lethal performance, Australia were bowled out at 294.
Chasing a 328-run target had always seemed challenging at The Gabba. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, however, proved it wrong. Both batters negotiated the Australian bowling attack with immense courage and sailed India across the line to secure a historic win. Gill registered 91 off 146 balls while Pant stayed unbeaten at 89 as the visiting side won the third Test by three wickets to bag the series.
