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Australia and India have faced each other in Test cricket since 1947 and renew their rivalry in Perth on Friday, playing a five-match series for the first time since 1991-92.
Some of the most competitive clashes have taken place since they began contesting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – named after the first two batsmen to score 10,000 runs – during the 1996-97 season.
AFP looks back on five memorable Tests:
– Tendulkar conquers Warne –
Sachin Tendulkar and spin king Shane Warne have fought many epic battles.
In 1998, at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Warne drew first blood by having the batting master caught for four at slips and then he came through the middle order to restrict India to 257 in their first innings. In response, Australia made 328, helped by Ian Healy’s 90.
This set the stage for Warne’s second round against Tendulkar, and it was the batsman who came out on top on a dusty, friendly wicket. He produced one of his most dazzling innings, removing Warne and compatriot Gavin Robertson in a magnificent unbeaten 155 off 191 balls that changed the course of the match.
India declared and gave Australia victory on 348, and they were bundled out for just 168 on the final day, with Tendulkar, unsurprisingly, named man of the match.
– Laxman’s epic position –
The second Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in 2001, was one of India’s greatest comebacks and is considered one of the most exciting matches of all time.
After Australia posted a total of 445, with Matthew Hayden making 97 and Steve Waugh 110, their bowling attack led by Glenn McGrath saw the home side make 171.
The follow-on was enforced with India in real danger of losing 2-0 in the series before VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) collapsed in a memorable and gritty 376-run stand for the fifth wicket as India made 657-7 before declaring.
Australia were left with a victory target of 384, but six wickets from Harbhajan Singh steered India to an improbable 171-run victory.
– “Monkeygate” scandal –
Perhaps the most controversial and malicious test between the two nations, the 2008 Sydney encounter was dubbed “Monkeygate”, marred by refereeing errors and accusations of racism.
Ricky Ponting’s men won by 122 runs for a 16th successive Test victory with just seven balls remaining in a breathless finish after part-time spinner Michael Clarke took three wickets in five deliveries.
But it is sadly remembered when Harbhajan Singh was accused of racial abuse and banned for three Tests for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds – who has West Indian ancestry – a “monkey” on the third day of play.
The row saw India threaten to withdraw from the tour and, on appeal, the ban was lifted and the accusation reduced to abusive language, leaving relations between the teams strained.
– Spinners reign supreme in Bangalore –
Australia took a 1-0 lead in the fiery Bangalore Test in 2017 and when Nathan Lyon scored 8-50 to bamboozle the Indian batsmen for 189, it looked like the tourists were going to lead 2-0.
But in a moody few days, Ravindra Jadeja collected 6-63 to ensure the tourists were trailing by just 87. A stylish 92 from Cheteshwar Pujara coupled with six wickets for Josh Hazlewood then saw India launch all out for 274 to put Australia at 188. win.
They collapsed for 112, with Ravichandran Ashwin becoming the fourth bowler in the match to take six wickets – the first time this had happened in Test history.
This monument was overshadowed by Virat Kohli accusing Australia of consulting his dressing room on DRS decisions on the field. Asked if Australia had cheated, a fired-up Kohli replied: “I didn’t say that, you said that.”
– ‘Gabbatoir’ conquered –
Australia entered the deciding Test in Brisbane of the four-match series in 2020-21 without having lost at the Gabba for 32 years. Plagued by injuries, India were heavy underdogs.
The hosts won the toss and, helped by a century from Marnus Labuschagne, compiled 369 before India responded with a 336. Australia – in Nathan Lyon’s 100th Test – were restricted to 294 in the second innings, but she still gave India a mammoth. 328 to win.
A fighting 91 from Shubman Gill gave them a solid platform, but it was a dashing Rishabh Pant who stole the show with a thrilling unbeaten 89 to complete a three-wicket victory with three overs remaining in the last daytime.
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