India have won 5 out of 44 matches played in Australia between the two sides.
India first Australia to play Test cricket in 1947. Since then the rivalry between the two sides have seen many things. It has seen the rise of India's spin attack making them one of the best sides at home. It has seen the rise of Australia's invincible sides that failed at the final frontier- India. It has seen one of worst series in terms of playing spirit since 'Bodyline'.
All these years, one thing has remained constant- India have never won a Test series in Australia. India have won 5 out of 44 matches played in Australia between the two sides. However, these include some memorable wins for India.
As Virat Kohli and his side is being considered the best chance for India to win a series Down Under, let's take a look at India's Test match wins in Australia.
1. December 1977, 3rd Test at MCG
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December 1977, 3rd Test at MCG: India beat Australia by 222 runs
India's first Test win in Australia came during the 1977 tour. These were turbulent times (not much unlike this year) for Australian cricket- they were missing star players like Ian Chappell, Greg Ian Chappell, Dennis Lillee etc because of the Kerry Packer saga. However, they were still a good side who beat India in the first two matches.
At Melbourne Cricket Ground, India posted 256 in the first innings with Mohinder Amarnath (59) and Gundappa Vishwanath (56). Bhagwat Chandrasekhar then took 6 for 52 as Australia were all out for 213.
Gavaskar, who had hit back to back centuries in the first two Tests, was the star with the bat in the second innings with another century (118) as India posted 343 to a target of 387. Chandrasekhar returned agains returned figues of 6 for 52 as Australia could score only 164.
(Image: Reuters)
2. January 1978, 4th Test at SCG
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January 1978, 4th Test at SCG: India won by an innings and 2 runs
After the win at MCG, India leveled the series with another big win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. B Chandrashekher was the star of the show again. He and Bishen Singh Bedi bowled Australia out for just 131 runs on day one. Gundappa Viswanath (79) and Karsan Gharvi (64) took India to 396 in the first innings.
India's spin bowling trio of Erapalli Prasanna (4 wickets), B Chandrasekhar (2 wickets) and BS Bedi (2 wickets) - in picture above - took wreaked havoc again as Australia were bowled out for 263. (Image: AFP)
3. February 1981, 3rd Test at MCG
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February 1981, 3rd Test at MCG: India won by 59 runs
This match is most remembered for Sunil Gavaskar's walk-out after a contentious LBW decision against him. India posted a respectable total of 237 thanks to G Viswanath's innings of 114. Allan Border then hit a century as Australia posted 419 to take a lead of 182 runs.
In the second innings, Gavaskar and Chauhan were doing well at 165/0 before controversy struck. Gavaskar was given out LBW off Lillee by umpire Rex Whitehead, but he felt that he had hit the ball. He took Chauhan off the field and refused to play further. After team manager SK Durrani calmed things down, India continued but were all out for 324.
Australia needed just 143 to win on the fourth day with Kapil Dev and Dilip Doshi not taking the field due to injury. However, they lost 3/24 at the close of play. Kapil took the field on the final day and too 5 for 16 as Australia were all out for just 83. (Image: AFP File Photo)
4. December 2003, 2nd Test at Adelaide Oval
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December 2003, 2nd Test at Adelaide Oval: India beat Australia by 4 wickets
India had to wait almost 23 years for their next win Down Under. Australia had scored 556 in the first innings with Ricky Ponting scoring 242. Rahul Dravid (233) and VVS Laxman (148) led India's solid reply as the visitors posted 523 runs.
India found an unlikely hero in Ajit Agarkar, who took 6 for 41, as Australia were bowled out for 196. Dravid (72*) led the chase of 230 as India went past the finishing line. (Image: AFP)
5. January 2008, 3rd Test at WACA
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January 2008, 3rd Test at WACA: India won by 72 runs
The match was played after a controversial Sydney Test. India were feeling undone by bad umpiring decisions in the second test. The 'Monkeygate' controversy involving allegations that Harbhajan Singh had racially abused Andrew Symonds had also fired up the tourists.
India posted 330 in the first innings thanks to Rahul Dravid's 93 and Sachin Tendulkar's 71. Irfan Pathan and RP Singh then ripped through the Australian top order reducing them to 61 for 5. Australia were eventually bowled out for 212.
India added to the 118-run lead awith Laxman (79), Pathan (46) and Sehwag (43). Australia were set a target of 413. After Irfan removed the openers early, Ponting and Hussey fought it out. However, a memorable spell by Ishant Sharma ended Ponting's stay. India romped to a 72-run victory.
This was the second time India stopped Australia from getting a consecutive 17th Test wins having done the same in 2001 at Eden Gardens. (Image: AFP)
