Yet another epic India vs Australia series is underway. If history has taught us anything, it is that the two teams bring out the best in each other – sledging and otherwise.
After losing the tightly contested Test series 1-2 earlier in the year, Australia are back to complete the second leg of their India tour. This includes 5 ODIS and 3 T20Is. So before we get going, lets quickly RECAP all the bilateral series played on Indian soil so far. The teams have previously played seven of them, with a 4-3 result in favour of the visitors.
Australia registered their first ever bilateral ODI series win in the subcontinent way back in the 1984-85 season, when they handily beat India 3-0. After two games were abandoned due to rain, Australia comfortably clinched the five-match ODI series on their first visit to India. India were World cup holders at the time.
A year later (1986-87), Australia toured India again. This time around the hosts were ready to get the better of the Aussies. India won the six-match ODI series 3-2. Even though India got off to a strong start in its chase of 243 runs in the third ODI, the match was called off due to incessant rain.
Australia then visited the country in 2000-01. This much-awaited tour turned out to be a comprehensive one in context of the game. The tour included a three-match Test Series and five ODIs. While India won the heated Test series 2-1, Australia edged past India in the fifth and final ODI to pocket the series 3-2. After a decade long wait (predominantly due to civil unrest in India), this well-balanced series was a win-win for cricket.
The 2007-08 season swung well in favour of the Aussies. Despite a strong batting display by the men down under, the first match was washed out with Australia at 307/7 and India at 9/1. After taking a dominant 3-1 lead mid-way through the seven-match ODI series, Australia marched past India to convincingly lift the series 4-2.
Instead of capitalizing on an early 2-1 advantage in 2009-10, India slumped and allowed a resurgent Australian team back into the series. Australia came from behind to take the series 4-2 yet again. The final dead rubber match saw no play thanks to rain and the series result remained unaltered as Australia clinched the seven-match ODI series.
The 2010-11 series was the shortest of the lot. As rain played spoilsport for the most part, the three-match ODI series was reduced to just one deciding match. After a shaky start, India chased down a sturdy total of 290 runs with 5 wickets to spare. This led to a 1-0 result in favour of the hosts.
Even with two matches washed out in the 2013-14 season, there was no dearth of excitement for the remaining five matches. The series saw both teams go in excess of 300 runs repeatedly and keep audiences on the edge of their seat. India narrowly pulled off the series win 3-2.
In the overall scheme of things, Australia has won 4 out of the 7 closely contested bilateral ODI series in India. As a result now hangs in the balance, India will look to even things out this eighth time around.
– Varun Kumar | SpreadSports
