Australia had always been one of the toughest peaks to conquer for the Indian team. The Aussies played an aggressive brand of cricket, had punishing batsmen, hostile pacemen and some very good spinners.
The Aussies hustled the opposition on pitches with bounce. And, after the 70s, unsettled those facing them with sledging. Simply put, they were ferocious competitors.
Forgettable maiden voyage
India’s maiden campaign in Australia, in 1947-48, ended in a 4-0 defeat. India was up against a legendary Australian team with giants such as Don Bradman, Arthur Morris and Ray Lindwall.
Despite individual brilliance from Vijay Hazare, Vinoo Mankad and Dattu Phadkar, India could not challenge Australia.
The 1960s and 70s
In 1967-68, India was led by the attack-minded Tiger Pataudi. India pressed hard but Australia took the series 4-0. With his deception and turn, Erapalli Prasanna scalped 25 in the series, was involved in stirring duels with the fleet-footed Ian Chappell.
The Bishen Bedi-led India had a wonderful chance to defeat Australia — the host’s biggest stars were roped in by Kerry Packer — in 1977-78.
Australia brought back an ageing Bob Simpson from retirement as captain and managed to hold on to fast bowler Jeff Thomson. With the series 2-2 — Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath and B.S. Chandrasekar shone for India — the visitor lost the decider in Adelaide.
The 1980s
In 1980-81, India dramatically levelled the series against a strong Greg Chappell-led Australian side in the third Test at the MCG with an injured Kapil Dev’s five for 28 ambushing the host.
Then, India missed a gilt-edged opportunity to floor a rebuilding Australian team in 1985-86. All the three Tests were drawn although Australia barely escaped in Sydney.
The 1990s and new millennium
India was brushed aside 4-0 in 1991-92 despite Kapil’s brilliance and Sachin Tendulkar’s spirit-lifting hundred at Perth.
In 1999-2000 Australia’s strong batting and the combination of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne saw India being blown away 3-0.
In the subsequent series in 2003-04, the Sourav Ganguly-led Indians forced a sensational four-wicket win in Adelaide with Ajit Agarkar’s six for 41 derailing the Aussies in a match Rahul Dravid dominated with innings of 233 and 72 not out.
That was a series in which Laxman batted brilliantly and Anil Kumble was outstanding with the ball.
India was poised to win the decider at Sydney when Steve Waugh, in his final Test appearance, and Simon Katich, saved the day for the host.
Debacles continue
In the infamous, ill-tempered, Monkeygate series of 2007-08, India roared back from 2-0 for an outstanding win at Perth made possible by pacemen. Australia held on to win the series.
In 2011-12, India was blanked 4-0 in the four-Test series; Michael Clarke and Ben Hilfenhaus excelled. Then, in 2014-15, despite Virat Kohli’s brilliance, India went down 2-0.
Now, Kohli, learning from the past, has enabled India take the final step.
