India Vs Australia, 1st Test Match

India suffered a 337-run defeat on the 4th day of the opening test match against Australia at MCG, Melbourne on Saturday, 29th December 2007. The fiasco came in a somewhat unexpected manner after India fought Australia bravely in the home series despite losing the same and dominating the proceedings against its subcontinental rivals recently which worked to raise hopes of a good cricketing competition.

After match began in a nearly-picture perfect manner for Australia with Hayden scoring yet another ecstatic opening century, kangaroos were suddenly bundled out by the brilliance of Zaheer Khan and Kumble for a competitive yet chaseable cricket score of 343 runs in 92.4 overs. Hoping to make an impression with the bat as well, India opened its first innings early on the second day only to lose its openers to the lethal pace and swing of lee and Clarke. Laxman and Tendulkar tried their level best to bring a semblance of stability on the crease but not to much avail as Laxman departed with a small cameo and the task was left to Ganguly and Tendulkar who seemed to enjoy a fertile spell for a while. Soon, however, Clark struck again to cut short a memorable innings by Tendulkar and the rest was mincemeat for Australians. The duo of Yuvraj and Dhoni too succumbed to the Australians and departed without contributing anything to their side. Ganguly too could not stand the strain for long and was bowled in by Hogg without completing an important half-century. Kumble came up with a 27 run cameo before Lee wiped out the last pillar of resistance from the Indian side. India were bundled out for a meager cricket score of 196 runs in 71.5 overs.

Ferocious kangaroos pounced upon the opportunity and made the most of it by staging a comprehensive team effort to score 351 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 88 overs by the end of the third day. Asking India to chase the cricket score, kangaroos had their mind set on the 15th consecutive test victory. India never started off against Australia in the 2nd innings as the famed batting line up came apart like a pack of cards. Except for Laxman and Ganguly, who fell short of their half-centuries, no one ever came near to making some kind of an impression against the reigning champions of world cricket. The dream of scoring an opening victory against Australia could not be realized as Australia added yet another feather to their cap by scoring their 15th consecutive test victory by 337 runs on the 4th day on home soil. Yet, to all intents and purposes, it is just the beginning and would hopefully lay foundation for a new beginning which might see the best side making it in the end.

India Australia Test Series 2008

Last Updated on 24 August 2012