5 best ODI performances of team India against Australia in Australia
India tour of Australia is one of the most exciting tours for the Indian fans. Team India will go down under this January to face the mighty Aussies, who are the reigning World Champions.The weather conditions and the wickets are very different from the sub-continent and thus it becomes difficult for the visiting team to adapt to the changes. The fast and bouncy wickets add to the thrill of the game.The Indian team has an underwhelming record against Australia in Australia especially in ODIs. In 43 matches, against Australia in Australia the visitors have only won 9 matches. But they have also come up with some very strong performances in the past.Melbourne has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian team as among the nine victories five have come there.Under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni the Indian team is looking to better their records in Australia this winter. And with a promising fast bowling unit this will be an interesting battle to watch as the World Champions will face the former World Champions.Here we pick our list of the best performances of team India against Australia in Australia. Let’s look at the ones that made it to the top 5 performances’ list and get to know more about the same.
#5 Australia vs India at SCG (2 March 2008)
Sachin on his way to 117*
Commonwealth Bank Series, 1st Final between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This was India’s first series after winning the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. India was in the finals knocking Sri Lanka out of the competition.
Batting first the Australians put a total of 239/8 from 50 overs. Mathew Hayden’s 82 and Mike Hussey’s 45 helped them put up a decent total on the board. For India Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh picked up two wickets each and prevented the hosts from putting up a massive total.
India’s innings didn't start off that well. India lost its opener Robin Uthappa for 17. Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh also got out cheaply. But Sachin Tendulkar was still on the crease and with him India’s hope were still battling. Sachin got excellent support from a young Rohit Sharma, who showed brilliant composure under immense pressure. Sharma got out on 66 but the damage was already done. Sachin along with Dhoni sealed the match for India and took a 1-0 lead in the 3 match finals.
Tendulkar remained unbeaten with a mesmerizing 117 and was chosen the Man of the Match.
India won the first final by six wickets.
Brief scores - AUS 239/8 ( Hayden 82, Hussey 45; Singh 2/38, Kumar 2/49 ) beaten by IND 242/4 ( Tendulkar 117*, Sharma 66; Hopes 2/42)