5 unforgettable moments from the India-Australia rivalry that don't fade away
India and Australia have had the meanest, fiercest cricketing rivalry in recent years. It was summed up well by noted cricket journalist Jarrod Kimber who said, “This contest brings together a belligerent bunch of brats and braggers from two countries that are so different yet share rampant egotism and a high opinion of themselves.”
As we head closer to Sunday, where India and Australia will take on each other in a virtual quarter-final of the ICC World T20 2016, we go down memory lane and look back at instances that have brought about a considerable amount of agelessness to this rivalry.
One can certainly say that an India – Australia rivalry will not fade away, quite like the Axe Signature line of body perfumes.
Here are 5 reasons which make this rivalry special:
# 1 A Very Very Special partnership
It was in March and at Indian cricket’s home where modern day’s greatest heist was pulled off much due to the efforts of two of India’s finest. India came into the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2001 having been drubbed in Mumbai at the hands of a world-conquering Australian side led by Steve Waugh.
After conceding a first innings lead of 274, India came out to bat at the Eden Gardens for a second time on Day 3. A promising opening stand was dismissed only for the Aussies to see VVS Laxman come out to bat in an unfamiliar position.
Laxman carried on from where he left off in the first-innings and hung around until he was joined by Rahul Dravid with the score reading 232/4 – a good 42 runs short of making up the deficit. What followed can only be heard in fairy tales.
The two stylish batsmen got together and stitched together a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Laxman batted on for ten and a half hours, out of which Dravid gave him company for nearly seven and a half where the South Indian duo made a mockery of the Australian bowling attack.
By the time the duo perished, India were in a healthy position and Sourav Ganguly declared on the morning of the fifth day after the team had amassed a lead of 383 runs. India went on to win the match by 171 runs to end Australia's magical 16-match unbeaten run.