India vs Australia cricket rivalry: Five most memorable ODIs played in India

Virat Kohli’s and the Indian cricket team are set to script another chapter of their big rivalry against Australia cricket team in the five-match ODI series which begins Sunday in Chennai

With the Indian cricket team, led by Virat Kohli, set to resume its rivalry with Steve Smith-led Australia cricket team in the upcoming five-match ODI series, HT takes a look at the five most memorable matches played in India between the two teams.

Indian cricket team players celebrate the fall of an Australian cricket team wicket during the quarterfinals of the ICC World Cup in 2011. India beat Australia to boot them out of the tournament. (Getty Images)

1987 World Cup: Australia beat India by 1 run

The game, played in Chennai, was marred by a controversy that had a huge influence on the outcome. Batting first, a hit from Dean Jones landed behind Ravi Shastri at long-on. Umpire Dickie Bird consulted the fielder, and signalled for a four. Australia were unhappy about it; and after a discussion, they all approached India captain Kapil Dev at the break who agreed to it being declared a six. Finishing at 268/6, Australia now had a total of 270 for 6.

Geoff Marsh of Australia cricket team in action during the World Cup Group A match against Indian cricket team at MA Chidambaram Stadium on October 9, 1987.

India were bolstered by Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s 70 and debutant Navjot Singh Sidhu’s 73. However, the hosts squandered a strong start, and from 207 for three, they were bowled out for 269 in the final over. The decision at mid innings proved critical as Australia won by a run.

In those days when totals in mid 200s were considered pretty good, India challenged Australia with a target of 228 in the final of the Pepsi Cup (1998-99 season) at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi. Ricky Ponting (41) and Michael Bevan (75) set the tone for the chase before Steve Waugh came up with a 54-ball 57 to help Australia to a four-wicket win.

Sachin Tendulkar’s 175 goes in vain in 2009 series

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates a century against Australia cricket team during the fifth ODI of the seven match series in Hyderabad on November 5, 2009.

A few months before he eventually breached the 200-run mark in an ODI innings, Sachin Tendulkar looked set to create that record in Hyderabad. Chasing 351 for victory in the fifth ODI of the seven-match series vs Australia in 2009, Tendulkar towered over the rest of the Indian batsmen — who registered seven single-digit scores — as well as his opponents, scoring an unbeaten 175 out of India’s 347. India failed Tendulkar when they could not get past the final hurdle, losing by three runs.

2011 World Cup quarterfinal: India knock Australia out

Bringing an end to Australia cricket team’s domination in World Cups, India handed Ricky Ponting’s team a crushing defeat in the quarterfinal of the ICC World Cup 2011. With his back pressed firmly against the wall, Ponting came up with a splendid hundred, powering Australia to a tricky 260 for six. In reply, Tendulkar (53) and Gautam Gambhir (50) soaked in the early pressure. Even though the hosts lost a few quick wickets, Yuvraj Singh (57*) and Suresh Raina (34*) took them to victory with five wickets to spare.

Rohit Sharma’s 209 at Bengaluru as India win 2013 series

Capitalising on the short boundaries at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma stroked his way into the record books, becoming the third batsman to score an ODI double century, scoring 209 off 158 deliveries with a world record 16 sixes and 12 fours.

Set to get 384 to win, James Faulkner hammered a 73-ball 116; Shane Watson hit a 22-ball 49, and Glenn Maxwell a 22-ball 60. However, it was not enough as India clinched the game and the seven-match series 3-2 with two matches being abandoned.