5 memorable Test wins at home for India
Team India’s 500th Test celebrations have doubled as the men in blue ensured a mammoth 197 run win against the Kiwis at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. India were thoroughly boosted by a superb spin bowling effort by R Ashwin.
India played its first Test match on June 25, 1932 against England in Lords. The team is often said to be a stronger side when playing in its backyard. Ever since their first Test, they have recorded several wins at home, few of which remain etched in the memory forever. Here is a quick flashback.
#5 India beat Australia by 1 wicket in Mohali, 2010
Laxman’s 281 at the Eden Gardens is well remembered by all cricket fans. But he also played many other gems against the men in yellow. One of those was an epic 73 off 79 balls at Mohali in 2010, an innings that took India to a magnificent and dramatic finish to the first Test against Australia.
On an uncertain final day, the hosts slipped from 76/4 to 124/8 until Ishant Sharma (31) helped build an 81-run partnership for the ninth wicket with VVS Laxman. Yet another very very special innings, which came at the age of 35 and a back injury, left Australia surprised at how they were once again duped them by Laxman.
2016-2017 will see a long season of tests for India at home, and hopefully, many more memorable wins too.