India and Australia have played each other are one of top rivals in test cricket. The Indian team best result on Australian soil has been 1-1 draw during the 2003/2004 edition of Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Some of Indian cricketers have played magical knocks on Australian soil and created an impact on the match. Playing on Australian conditions for Indian players has been tough because Australian pitches consist of bounce and pace.
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It is a huge achievement for any Indian cricketer to play special knock and help the team win the match or draw. Most of Indian matches in Australia resulted in a loss. With 2018/19 test series about to start on 6th December 2018.
We look at the top 10 innings by Indian players on Australian soil:
1. VVS Laxman 167 ( SCG, 2000)
VVS Laxman has some top quality knocks against Australia. During the 3rd test match at Sydney Cricket Ground played from 2nd January. Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar won toss and decided to bat first. It was not a great performance by the Indian team as they were bowled out for 150 runs in the first innings.
Australia posted a massive total of 552 for 5 declare. In their second innings, VVS Laxman opened the innings for team India and managed to score 167 runs from 198 balls against top quality Australian bowling which included Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne. Out of 261 runs, Laxman made 167. He hit 27 fours in his innings and batted for 255 minutes. The match finished on the 3rd day. India lost the match by an innings and 141 runs.
2. Sachin Tendulkar 241 not out ( Sydney, 2004)
One of best player in world cricket, Sachin Tendulkar played his best knock in test cricket during the 4th test match against Australia played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG from 2nd– 6th January 2004. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat first.
Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra gave the team a great start adding 123 runs for opening wicket. Sachin Tendulkar came at number 4 after fall of Chopra’s wicket and made the batting look with elegant stroke play.
Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman added 353 runs for the 4th wicket. He remained not out on 241 off 436 balls and stayed at the crease for 613 minutes. During his marathon innings, Sachin Tendulkar hit 33 boundaries. India declared on a massive total of 705 for 7 declare. The match ended in draw as Australia was bowled out for 474 in their first innings. India then declared their innings on 211 for 2.
Setting a target of 443 runs to win, Australia finished on 357 for 6. Sachin Tendulkar was named as man of the match for his marathon 241.
3. Rahul Dravid 233 ( Adelaide, December)
In one of the best wins for India on Australian soil, Rahul Dravid played one of the best innings in the 2nd test match of 2003/04 test series from 12th– 16th December . Australia captain Steve Waugh won the toss and decided to bat first. Ricky Pointing 242, contributions from Justin Langer scoring 58, Simon Katich 75, Jason Gillespie 48 not out helped hosts Australia post a massive total of 556.
India reply did not start well losing 4 wickets for 85 runs. Rahul Dravid played a gem of knock scoring 233 off 446 balls and staying 594 minutes at the crease. He added 303 runs with VVS Laxman for the 5th wicket. India posted 523 runs in their first innings.
Australia led by 33 runs in the first innings. A brilliant 6 for 41 by Ajit Agarkar helped India bowl out Australia for 196 runs. Chasing target of 230 runs to win, Rahul Dravid remained not out on 72 and helped team India beat Australia by 4 wickets to register one of their best wins in overseas conditions.
4. Virender Sehwag 195 ( Melbourne, December 2003)
One of the explosive right handed batsmen in test cricket, Virender Sehwag smashed 195 runs against Australia during the 3rd test match played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG from 26th– 30th December 2003.
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first. Virender Sehwag looked in smashing mood taking on Australian bowlers. He smashed 195 runs off 233 balls with 25 fours and 5 sixes. He batted for 312 minutes at the crease. His innings helped India post 366 runs in the first innings.
Australia posted a massive total of 558 runs in the first innings. In their second innings, Sehwag only scored 11 runs and were bowled out for 286 runs. Australia were given a target of 95 runs and the hosts won match by 9 wickets.
5. Sourav Ganguly 144 ( Brisbane, December 2003)
The Indian captain during that time Sourav Ganguly led from the front and made the batting look easy on tough batting conditions. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly elected to field after winning toss. Despite Langer 121, Pointing 54, Martyn 42, India bowled out Australia for 323.
In reply, the stylish left handed batsman Ganguly played one of his best knocks against a tough Australian side in their own backyard. Ganguly scored 144 off 196 balls with 18 fours. He stayed for 291 minutes at the crease. His knock helped India post 409 runs in first innings.
The first test match between India and Australia ended in a draw. Australia posted 284 for 3 declare in their 2nd innings. Chasing 199 runs to win, India scored 73 for 2. For his 144, Sourav Ganguly was named the man of the match.
6. VVS Laxman 148 ( Adelaide, December 2003)
VVS Laxman made another impactful knock against Australia during the famous win over Australia in the 2nd test match played at Adelaide Oval from 12th – 16th December 2003. After the hosts Australia posted a massive total of 556 runs in the first innings, VVS Laxman along with Rahul Dravid smashed Australian bowling attack with some attractive stroke play.
VVS Laxman made 148 off 282 balls with 18 fours. He batted for 356 minutes at the crease and added 303 runs for the 5th wicket with Rahul Dravid.
It ensured that India scored 523 runs in the first innings. Ajit Agarkar magical spell in 2nd innings was enough to bowl out Australia for 196 runs. Chasing 233 runs to win, VVS Laxman made 32 runs in 2nd innings. India won that match by 4 wickets.
7. Murali Vijay 144 ( Brisbane, December 2014)
After losing the first test match by 48 runs at Adelaide Oval in the 4 match test series, India’s premier opener Murali Vijay showed his class during the 2nd test match played at Gabba, Brisbane played from 17th– 21st December 2014.
Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first. Vijay showed his great temperament facing the new ball against top quality bowlers which included Mitchell Johoson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
Vijay scored 144 off 213 balls with 22 fours. He batted at the crease for 336 minutes. India were bowled out for 409 runs in the first innings. Despite Vijay brilliant efforts, the Indian team lost the match by 4 wickets. Australia posted 505 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, Vijay made 27 as India were bowled out for 224.
8. Virat Kohli 169 ( Melbourne, December 2014)
The Indian captain showed his class during the 2014 test tour of Australia. After losing the 2nd test match by 4 wickets, India featured in 3rd test match played from 26th-30th December 2014. Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and decided to bat first.
Steve Smith 192 and contributions from other batsmen helped Australia post a massive total of 530 runs in the first innings. In reply, Virat Kohli came at the crease after fall of Pujara wicket. Kohli showed great composure putting the bad balls away for boundaries and also taking singles.
Kohli made 169 off 272 balls with 18 fours. He batted for 380 minutes at the crease and put up marathon partnership with Rahane for the 4th wicket. His knock helped India score 465 runs in first innings.
Australia declared their 2nd innings on 318 for 9. Chasing the target of 384 runs to win, Kohli made 54. India drew the match as they scored 174 for 6.
9. Ajinkya Rahane 147 ( Melbourne, December 2014)
Playing his first Australia test tour in 2014, Rahane produced a magical knock against a top quality Australian bowling line up. The match was played at iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26th– 30th December 2014.
After Australia posted a massive 530 runs in the first innings, Rahane proved his worth with the bat during the 3rd test match at MCG. He came at the crease after fall of Murali Vijay wicket. Rahane took time to settle and then attacked Australian bowling line up with some quality stroke play.
Rahane and Kohli added 262 runs for the 4th wicket. Rahane scored 147 off 171 balls with 21 fours. He batted for 240 minutes. These two ensured that India posted 465 runs in the first innings.
The match ended in a draw and Australia won the series.
10. Virat Kohli 147 ( Sydney, January 2015)
Virat Kohli was the captain for team India during the 4th test match played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG played from 6th-10th January 2015. Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and decided to bat first.
A great batting display by the Australian batsmen helped them to declare their innings on 572 for 7. In reply, Virat Kohli continued his sensational form during the 2014/15 test series in Australia with another century.
He looked in control and made the batting look easy. With Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon in Australian bowling line up, Kohli made 147 off 230 balls with 20 fours in his innings. The Indian captain batted for 315 minutes. His innings helped India score 475 runs in first innings.
The match ended in a draw as Australia declared their 2nd innings on 251 for 6. Chasing 349 runs to win, Kohli made 46 runs and ensured that India does not lose the match.