India’s epic comeback Test wins: India’s Test fortunes were at an all-time high at the end of April 2004. The side had drawn a series in both England and Australia (1-1). They won a series for the first time in Pakistan (2-1). It was India’s best phase as a Test side travelling overseas. They were no longer considered to be vulnerable overseas. India’s biggest challenge now was to counter expectations.
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The slow but definite phase of Indian Test cricket:
Sourav Ganguly was India’s captain for five years. India then went on to have three captains in the phase of the next three years. The side tasted success in different conditions but also had its fair share of lost opportunities. India had a tricky period of Test cricket between 2004-07 and then went on to become a stable side.
We look at India’s epic comeback Test wins during 2004-10:
#1 Mumbai – 2004
Ricky Ponting’s Australia toured India during the latter half of 2004. The Aussies brushed aside India in the opening Test in Bengaluru. India looked good to level the series in Chennai but the rain had the final say on the last day. Australia then smashed India in the third Test in Nagpur. They managed to win the series in India after 35 years. India just had the pride to play in the final Test in Mumbai.
The shootout at the rank turner:
The fourth and final Test lasted for just two days with rain dominating the proceedings on the first day. India batting first was bundled out for 104. Australia in reply scored 203 securing a 99-run lead. India looked good to set a target of 150+ when Michael Clarke returned with figures of 6-9 to leave India in tatters. Australia needed just 107 to win. Indian spinners spun a web around Aussie batters to bowl them out for 93. It remains one of India’s great escapes. The win was special but the series loss did sting!
Also Read: India’s Epic Test Comebacks – Part I
#2 Chennai – 2008
The game was played against the backdrop of the terrorist attack in Mumbai, in 2008. England returned to India to play a 2-match Test series. The first Test was played in Chennai. Andrew Strauss, the English captain struck twin centuries. England scored 316 in their first innings and went on to bowl India out for 241. They had a 75 runs lead. A visiting side picking up a lead was rare in India. England managed to do just that.
The unexpected reply:
England for the second time in the Test scored over 300. They declared at 311-9 leaving India a target of 387 with four sessions to play. Cricket experts expected India to play out a draw. India though had other plans. Virender Sehwag got India off to a blazing start. He scored 83 off just 68 balls. Sachin Tendulkar then scored a memorable century to take India home. The game was not just one of the come-from-behind wins but the emotion attached to it made it even more special!
#3 Mohali – 2010
It was once again the Border-Gavaskar trophy that saw India pull off a stunner. Australia scored 428 batting first. India scored briskly but finished 23 short of Australia’s total to finish at 405. Australia scored 192 in the second innings to post a target of 216 for the home side in the final innings. India at one stage was 4-48 and 8-124. It all seemed down and out for India.
The jailbreak:
VVS Laxman, Australia’s principal nemesis once again shepherded the chase. He combined forces with Ishant Sharma in an outstanding 81-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Laxman’s stand with Pragyan Ojha for all of 11 runs remains one of the best thrilling moments in Indian Test history. India managed to break jail once again!
